This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole bakes in less than 30 minutes and will quickly be a family favorite. It's creamy, rich, cheesy, and so flavorful. It is a budget-friendly comfort food dinner perfect for busy weeknights!
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This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole was inspired by my real-life in the kitchen. I would try to get dinner on the table fast, stay within a budget, and still make a meal the entire family would look forward to. This was a go-to comfort food because it delivers all the comfort of a cheeseburger in a one-pan dinner. This recipe checks all the boxes: quick to make, easy cleanup, and budget-conscious.
If you love an easy one-pan meal, try my Skillet Beef and Rice or BBQ Chicken and Potatoes for other family favorites.
Reader Review: "This casserole was perfect for feeding my family. It will now be on my meal rotation. " - Amanda
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Family Favorite: All the classic bacon cheeseburger flavors baked into a hearty casserole that both kids and adults love.
- Simple Pantry Ingredients: Made with everyday ingredients you likely already have on hand.
- Easy to Customize: Swap the cheese, add your favorite burger toppings, or mix in vegetables to make it your own.
- Budget-Friendly: An affordable meal that feeds the whole family without breaking the bank.
- Perfect for Busy Weeknights: Easy to prepare and on the table in about an hour.
Equipment
- Flint and Flame Knives - My go-to for knives! These knives have been my favorite lately.
- Rice Cooker - My favorite small kitchen appliance! It cooks perfect fluffy rice every time with little effort.
- Cheese Box Grater - Freshly grated cheese melts so much better! This is the one I use.
- Small colander - Perfect for rinsing rice before cooking to remove excess starch.
Ingredients
- Rice: Cooked white rice is the base of the casserole. Jasmine or long grain works well!
- Ground Beef: I used a lean ground beef, 90/10.
- Bacon: Cook until crispy! I love using the oven method for cooking.
- Onion: Diced sweet onion
- Ketchup and Mustard: The classic cheeseburger flavors!
- Flour: All-purpose or self-rising works fine here. The flour will help thicken the mixture.
- Milk: For the creamy sauce.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded to give cheesy goodness to the casserole.
- Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt and Pepper: Season to bring all the flavors together.
Tim's Tip: For even more cheeseburger flavor, cook the rice in beef broth instead of water. It adds a rich and savory flavor to every bite.
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
1. Cook the Rice: Rinse the rice well, then cook according to package directions. I like using a rice cooker for perfect rice every time.
2. Cook the Beef: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef with the diced onions until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are softened. Drain any excess grease if needed. Stir in the garlic powder, paprika, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
4. Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring constantly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Lightly spray an 8x8 dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the cooked rice evenly in the bottom of the dish, then spoon the beef mixture over the top. Sprinkle with shredded cheese evenly over the beef, then finish with the crumbled bacon.
6. Bake: Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap the Rice: In place of rice, you can use pasta, cauliflower rice, or even zucchini spirals.
- Add Some Spice: Stir in a dash of red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to give the casserole a little kick.
- Cheese Swap: Swap the cheddar for Pepper Jack, Mozzarella, or Colby Jack.
- Use a Different Protein: Ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork will all work in place of beef.
Expert Tips
- Freshly Shred Your Cheese - Skip the pre-shredded cheese when possible. Freshly shredded melts more smoothly and creates a creamier casserole.
- Rinse the Rice - Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear before cooking. This removes excess starch and helps the rice cook up fluffy.
- Make it Your Own - Top each serving with your favorite burger toppings like dill pickles, chopped green onions, fresh tomatoes, or a drizzle of burger sauce for burger flavor.
- Don't Overcook the Sauce: Simmer the sauce just until it begins to thicken. You want the sauce loose because it will thicken more as the casserole bakes.
What to Serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but pairing it with some simple sides rounds out dinner perfectly. Here are my favorites:
- Garden Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.
- Stuffed Garlic Bread
- Roasted Vegetables
- Sautéed Asparagus
Storage
Refrigeration: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Let the casserole cool completely, and place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. For a larger portion, you can also cover it with foil and bake in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until hot throughout.
FAQs
Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate it. When ready to eat, bake as directed. You will need to add an extra 5-10 minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
Yes. Ground turkey can be used as a lighter alternative to ground beef. It works well with bacon and cheese!
Absolutely! Brown rice works well in this recipe. Just be sure to cook it completely before adding it to the casserole.
More Delicious Casseroles
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 2½ cups Cooked White Rice Jasmine
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 8 slices Cooked Bacon
- 1 cup Onion Diced
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Flour
- 1¼ cup Milk
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Rinse the rice well, then cook according to package directions. I like using a rice cooker for perfect rice every time. 2½ cups Cooked White Rice
- Cook the Beef: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef with the diced onions until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are softened. Drain any excess grease if needed. Stir in the garlic powder, paprika, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. 1 lb Ground Beef 1 cup Onion ½ tsp Garlic Powder 1½ tsp Paprika 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper 2 tbsp Ketchup 1 tbsp Yellow Mustard
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Slowly pour in the milk while stirring constantly. Simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce. 1 tbsp Flour 1¼ cup Milk
- Assemble the Casserole: Lightly spray an 8x8 dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the cooked rice evenly in the bottom of the dish, then spoon the beef mixture over the top. Sprinkle with shredded cheese evenly over the beef, then finish with the crumbled bacon. 2 cups Cheddar Cheese 8 slices Cooked Bacon
- Bake: Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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