Name: Easy Cheeseburger Casserole {Freezer Meal}
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 cups penne pasta; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1 onion (finely chopped); 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 pound ground beef; ¾ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 2 Tablespoons tomato paste; 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes; 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

A delicious twist on a favorite hamburger casserole makes this a comfort food staple at our house. Both kids and adults alike will love this Easy Cheeseburger Casserole (also makes a great freezer meal).

Easy Cheeseburger Casserole {Freezer Meal}

We love casseroles in our family and this one is always a big hit. With all the flavors of a cheeseburger baked into this dish, we guarantee you will love it too.

Optional Ingredients for Cheeseburger Casserole

There’s really no wrong way to eat a hamburger! Some like it topped with pickles, others with onions and mustard, and this casserole is no different.

This ground beef casserole has been in our family and on our blog for years. We have tweaked it so many times and have had a lot of readers share their own versions.

Here are a few ingredients we’ve added over the years to make this hamburger casserole even more delicious. Add what your family will love and make it your own!

Diced Tomatoes
BBQ Sauce
Chopped pickles
Bacon
Mushrooms
Worcestershire sauce
Topped with ketchup
Montreal Seasoning (or your favorite hamburger seasoning!)

Converting Cheeseburger Casserole to a Freezer Meal:

Making this now but not eating it until later? That’s totally fine! This cheeseburger casserole can easily be converted into a freezer meal. Here’s how you do it:

You will need a freezer safe dish to prepare your meal. We would recommend these Aluminum Pans because they come with lids.
Prepare your cheeseburger casserole according to the directions, up until the step to place your casserole in the oven.
Cover your casserole with the lid, or aluminum foil, and place in the freezer. We’d recommend labeling your casserole with the title of the recipe, date you created it, and cooking instructions like as follows:
Cheeseburger Casserole / 04/18/2018 / Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours, bake at 350 for 20 minutes. This labeling will help you avoid the mystery of trying to figure out which frozen noodle dish you are pulling out of your fridge and how long it’s been in there. It’s also helpful when giving to neighbors or friends.
When ready to cook, remove casserole from freezer and thaw in your fridge for 24 hours. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, just as the directions say.

What to serve with Cheeseburger Casserole:

We love pairing this Cheeseburger Casserole with a green salad, just like you would any other pasta dish. Here are a few of our favorites:

Serves: 8

Easy Cheeseburger Casserole {Freezer Meal}

A delicious twist on a favorite hamburger casserole makes this a comfort food staple at our house.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Ingredients

2 cups penne pasta
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 onion finely chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pound ground beef
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain Well.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in the beef and cook until browned; season with salt and pepper.
Stir in the tomato paste, then add the diced tomatoes and mustard.
Let the mixture bubble until it is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
Put the cooked noodles in the greased pan and pour your meat sauce on top. Slightly mix together your noodles and sauce.
Cover with foil and cook for 20 minutes. Take it out of the oven and remove your foil. Add your cheese on top and stick back in the oven until the cheese is melted. (5 to 10 minutes).
Serve while it is warm.

Nutrition

Calories: 334 kcal · Carbohydrates: 28 g · Protein: 24 g · Fat: 14 g · Saturated Fat: 7 g · Trans Fat: 1 g · Cholesterol: 65 mg · Sodium: 517 mg · Potassium: 542 mg · Fiber: 2 g · Sugar: 4 g · Vitamin A: 464 IU · Vitamin C: 11 mg · Calcium: 254 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Recipe Details

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Recipe adapted from Skinnytaste

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Questions & Reviews

Christine says:

Please quickly help! Your directions are calling for tomato paste, but it's not listed in the ingredients! A whole can?????

Heather V says:

Hi! I don't see tomato paste in the ingredients or how long to cook in the oven? It looks fantastic, I just need a few more pointers on how to finish it up! Thank you!

Christine says:

This recipe is incomplete. Not only do you call for ingredients that aren't listed in the ingredient list, you didn't finish the directions. I'm in the middle of this recipe not knowing what to do the rest of the way. Frustrating, but I still love your blog. I guess I'll figure it out. :P

Lyns says:

I was excited to make this for supper tonight, but it seems the recipe is incomplete. There is no tomato paste listed on the ingredient list, but you talk about adding it in the directions. Then the directions are incomplete. How long does it cook in the 9x13 pan?

Becca says:

Hi, just wondering if this recipe is baked after. It says to preheat the oven to 350 but then doesn't say to put it in the oven or how long? Just wondering how long to put the casserole in the oven for. Thanks.

kristins says:

The directions say to add tomato paste, but there is no tomato paste listed in the ingredients. How much tomato paste do we add? thank you!

Lindsay says:

From what I'm finding on the internet from recipes that are similar... Add 2 T. tomato paste. After the mixture is slightly thickened, add the cooked pasta. Then, pour everything into the greased 9x13 and put cheese on top. Bake appx. 15 min or until cheese is melted.

Alicia says:

Hi ladies. I was confused what to do next too! I found another link off pinterest for the exact same recipe. They said bake for 20 minutes. http://myrecipemagic.com/recipe/recipedetail/easy-cheeseburger-casserole

Sandra Jacobson says:

How much tomato paste do you use and how long to bake it. Love all your recipes Thanks

Jesse says:

where is everyone seeing tomato paste when it says diced tomato can? I am thinking about making this tonight anyone use the tomato paste instead?

Cyd says:

2 tablespoons tomato paste in the recipe. Total cooking time is around 30 minutes. It's all on the recipe directions. Hope this helps.

Cyd says:

When this recipe was first published, a few things were wrong that have since been fixed. Those are old comments that came along before we updated it. Sorry about the confusion.

liz says:

I actually didn't know it was a can of tomatoes I just cut some up. It tasted great and for more flavour put bbq sauce in it, Tastes great!

Cari says:

Made for the family a few weeks ago and it was a bust. Pretty bland for our tastes and the kids asked to be excused after a couple of bites. The husband loaded his with red pepper flakes but still only had one small bowl. Not a keeper for our family.

Bethany says:

Should we drain he diced tomatoes or leave the liquid?

Cyd says:

Just dump the can of tomatoes in. Do not drain. The tomato paste helps thicken it up.

Sandy_of_WV says:

Would be nice/helpful if you would add facts/info to the question/comments of your readers [this in not only your site but others, as well]. -- adding "drain" to the ingredient list where "28 oz diced tomatoes" is listed. If only bloggers would do this - it would be appreciated and very helpful to all -- besides, we don't have time to read over the comments/responses to recipes. Sorry but just had to write and point this out -- hope you will consider doing this! :) Love your recipes but...

Tina M says:

I made this before & agree it needs WAY more spices. Add more of the things you like. I also added a couple chopped dill pickles which were great!!!

MrsW. says:

Am I the only on who automatically substitutes Medium salsa for a can of diced tomatoes?? Or we use Delmonte Petite cut tomatoes with zesty jalapenos!! SO yummy!!

Kelly says:

Made this last night for the family. I added a Tbsp. of BBQ sauce which really added a lot of depth! I definitely recommend giving that a try! :) I also used sliced American cheese instead of cheddar which really gave this a classic cheeseburger taste. Next time I think I will cut the tomatoes in half, other than that this is super easy and quick! (I omitted the 2 TBSP of tomato paste the ingredients called for)

Emily says:

It still says tomato paste in the ingredients though & I don't see a step in the directions using it....my dish doesn't look like the picture that's for sure :(

Tiffany says:

I wanted to freeze this meal...Any suggestions?!!!

Cyd says:

Prepare it all the way and instead of putting it in the oven, cover it really well and stick it in the freezer. Thaw and cook when ready to eat. You could also cook it and then freeze it. Just thaw and reheat. Check often while in the oven.

Tiffany says:

Thanks for the quick response!! Can't wait to try it!!

Join The Discussion

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Christine says:

Please quickly help! Your directions are calling for tomato paste, but it's not listed in the ingredients! A whole can?????
Heather V says:

Hi! I don't see tomato paste in the ingredients or how long to cook in the oven? It looks fantastic, I just need a few more pointers on how to finish it up! Thank you!
Christine says:

This recipe is incomplete. Not only do you call for ingredients that aren't listed in the ingredient list, you didn't finish the directions. I'm in the middle of this recipe not knowing what to do the rest of the way. Frustrating, but I still love your blog. I guess I'll figure it out. :P
Lyns says:

I was excited to make this for supper tonight, but it seems the recipe is incomplete. There is no tomato paste listed on the ingredient list, but you talk about adding it in the directions. Then the directions are incomplete. How long does it cook in the 9x13 pan?
Becca says:

Hi, just wondering if this recipe is baked after. It says to preheat the oven to 350 but then doesn't say to put it in the oven or how long? Just wondering how long to put the casserole in the oven for. Thanks.
kristins says:

The directions say to add tomato paste, but there is no tomato paste listed in the ingredients. How much tomato paste do we add? thank you!
Lindsay says:

From what I'm finding on the internet from recipes that are similar... Add 2 T. tomato paste. After the mixture is slightly thickened, add the cooked pasta. Then, pour everything into the greased 9x13 and put cheese on top. Bake appx. 15 min or until cheese is melted.
Alicia says:

Hi ladies. I was confused what to do next too! I found another link off pinterest for the exact same recipe. They said bake for 20 minutes. http://myrecipemagic.com/recipe/recipedetail/easy-cheeseburger-casserole
Sandra Jacobson says:

How much tomato paste do you use and how long to bake it. Love all your recipes Thanks
Jesse says:

where is everyone seeing tomato paste when it says diced tomato can? I am thinking about making this tonight anyone use the tomato paste instead?
Cyd says:

2 tablespoons tomato paste in the recipe. Total cooking time is around 30 minutes. It's all on the recipe directions. Hope this helps.
Cyd says:

When this recipe was first published, a few things were wrong that have since been fixed. Those are old comments that came along before we updated it. Sorry about the confusion.
liz says:

I actually didn't know it was a can of tomatoes I just cut some up. It tasted great and for more flavour put bbq sauce in it, Tastes great!
Cari says:

Made for the family a few weeks ago and it was a bust. Pretty bland for our tastes and the kids asked to be excused after a couple of bites. The husband loaded his with red pepper flakes but still only had one small bowl. Not a keeper for our family.
Bethany says:

Should we drain he diced tomatoes or leave the liquid?
Cyd says:

Just dump the can of tomatoes in. Do not drain. The tomato paste helps thicken it up.
Sandy_of_WV says:

Would be nice/helpful if you would add facts/info to the question/comments of your readers [this in not only your site but others, as well]. -- adding "drain" to the ingredient list where "28 oz diced tomatoes" is listed. If only bloggers would do this - it would be appreciated and very helpful to all -- besides, we don't have time to read over the comments/responses to recipes. Sorry but just had to write and point this out -- hope you will consider doing this! :) Love your recipes but...
Tina M says:

I made this before & agree it needs WAY more spices. Add more of the things you like. I also added a couple chopped dill pickles which were great!!!
MrsW. says:

Am I the only on who automatically substitutes Medium salsa for a can of diced tomatoes?? Or we use Delmonte Petite cut tomatoes with zesty jalapenos!! SO yummy!!
Kelly says:

Made this last night for the family. I added a Tbsp. of BBQ sauce which really added a lot of depth! I definitely recommend giving that a try! :) I also used sliced American cheese instead of cheddar which really gave this a classic cheeseburger taste. Next time I think I will cut the tomatoes in half, other than that this is super easy and quick! (I omitted the 2 TBSP of tomato paste the ingredients called for)
Emily says:

It still says tomato paste in the ingredients though & I don't see a step in the directions using it....my dish doesn't look like the picture that's for sure :(
Tiffany says:

I wanted to freeze this meal...Any suggestions?!!!
Cyd says:

Prepare it all the way and instead of putting it in the oven, cover it really well and stick it in the freezer. Thaw and cook when ready to eat. You could also cook it and then freeze it. Just thaw and reheat. Check often while in the oven.
Tiffany says:

Thanks for the quick response!! Can't wait to try it!!

Easy Cheeseburger Casserole {Freezer Meal}

Optional Ingredients for Cheeseburger Casserole

Converting Cheeseburger Casserole to a Freezer Meal:

What to serve with Cheeseburger Casserole: