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Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole - A Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Classic

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces dry pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells work well)
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 for flavor)
  • 6–8 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned, drained) or 1 large tomato, chopped
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped (plus extra for topping, optional)
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or medium)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
  • Chopped green onions or shredded lettuce, for topping (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven. Set it to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar casserole pan.
  2. Cook the pasta. Boil in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside. Don’t overcook, or it will get mushy in the oven.
  3. Crisp the bacon. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Leave 1–2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
  4. Sauté onion and garlic. Add onion to the skillet and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Brown the beef. Add ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook until no longer pink, then drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Build the “burger” sauce. Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire, diced tomatoes, and chopped pickles. Simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Make it creamy. Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk and sour cream until smooth and slightly thickened, 1–2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  8. Combine with pasta. In a large bowl (or the skillet if it’s big enough), toss the pasta with the beef mixture and half the bacon. Fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar.
  9. Assemble the casserole. Pour into the baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and the rest of the bacon.
  10. Bake. Place on the center rack and bake 15–18 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling with lightly golden edges.
  11. Finish and serve. Let it rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped green onions or a handful of shredded lettuce for a fresh, burger-like touch. Add extra pickles if you love tang.