Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

You can enjoy a burger in countless ways, but I often find myself drawn to tried-and-true favorite versions. A towering, juicy bacon cheeseburger always hits the spot, but it can be a little too much work when I need to feed a crowd. In a larger format, this bacon cheeseburger casserole delivers the savory beef, melty cheese and crisp bacon that defines the classic, all suspended in a creamy egg custard. Serving 12, this meat lovers casserole is a great brunch option or Sunday dinner, with plenty of leftovers for the week ahead.

Ingredients for Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

• Ground beef: The beef makes this a burger-inspired casserole, but it’s easier to brown the beef in crumbles than to flip patties on the grill. Let the skillet preheat thoroughly so the beef cooks and browns without steaming or becoming soggy.
• Onions: Onions add flavor and a little texture to the cooked beef. A regular yellow onion is a great type of onion, since it’s not too sweet or sharp, but if you are using red onion as a topping, you can use that here as well.
• Garlic: Garlic makes everything taste more amazing with a savory, umami boost. Instead of reaching for jarred garlic, try one of these easy ways to mince garlic for the freshest taste.
• Bacon: Crumbled crispy bacon adds crunch and flavor to this delicious casserole. I prefer to cook bacon in the oven rather than on the stovetop. It creates less mess, and the bacon strips cook much more evenly.
• Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese tastes delicious on burgers and in a cheeseburger-themed casserole. For the best melt and creamiest taste, we recommend grating cheese yourself from a block. If you are running low on cheddar, feel free to mix in another great melting cheese, such as American, Colby or, one of my favorites, Havarti.
• Eggs: Beaten eggs hold the casserole together and give it a custardy texture similar to a quiche filling. Our Test Kitchen has some great tips for how to crack eggs like a pro. My favorite tip is using half an eggshell to quickly fish out bits of cracked shell.
• Tomato paste: Tomato paste is like the ketchup component in this dish, but it has a more concentrated, tangy taste that stands up to the other ingredients in the bake. This recipe uses an entire can, so save an open can for one of these tomato paste recipes or freeze it for another time.
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy whipping cream makes the beaten eggs extra creamy and decadent. In this recipe, half-and-half is the best heavy cream substitute.
• Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a tangy, fermented condiment that deepens the flavor of the meat and adds loads of flavor to the dish.
• Optional toppings: Dill pickle slices, thinly sliced green onions, slices of red onion and halved cherry tomatoes are all great toppings that add color and cheeseburger vibes to the bake. Of course, you can also add any of your favorite burger toppings. I’d go for pickled red onions, candied jalapenos and a drizzle of barbecue sauce!

Directions

Step 1: Brown the ground beef

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is tender, 10 to 12 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles. Drain.

Step 2: Assemble the casserole

Transfer the meat to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish and sprinkle with bacon and some of the cheddar. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, tomato paste, cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper until well combined.

Pour it over the beef mixture and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar.

Step 3: Bake the casserole

Bake, uncovered, until the casserole has set and is golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Let it stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with dill pickle slices, thinly sliced green onions, sliced red onion and halved cherry tomatoes as desired.

Recipe Variations

• Caramelize the onions: Instead of sauteing onions with the beef, make caramelized onions in a separate skillet and stir them into the drained meat. Since they’ll be sweeter than cooked onions, you may want to add a bit more salt to balance the flavors.
• Use a different ground meat: Instead of beef, use ground turkey. It’s leaner than beef, so you may not need to drain much after cooking it. The flavor difference between the meats won’t be that noticeable with all the added flavors and toppings.
• Add mushrooms: I love topping a burger with sauteed mushrooms, so including them in a bacon cheeseburger casserole makes perfect sense! Since mushrooms release a lot of water when cooking, I would saute them separately from the beef to prevent the meat from becoming soupy, then mix them in before transferring the meat to the baking dish.
• Spice up the meat: We keep the seasoning simple with salt and pepper, but you can add your favorite spices or blend to the meat for a bolder taste. Try one of these homemade steak seasoning blends, such as Montreal steak seasoning—a favorite addition among our reviewers.
• Try different cheeses: If a bacon Swiss burger is your usual order, you can bring that flavor to this casserole by using Swiss instead of cheddar. The same goes for pepper jack or mozzarella. If you like things really cheesy, you can tile sliced cheese on the casserole, going edge to edge, instead of using shredded cheese.

How to Store Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

Store bacon cheeseburger casserole in the refrigerator for three to four days. It’s always best to portion large casseroles and tightly wrap smaller pieces or transfer them to food storage containers so they cool down quickly.

Can you freeze bacon cheeseburger casserole?

Bacon cheeseburger casserole can be frozen for two to three months after it’s been baked and cooled. It’s important to tightly wrap the casserole dish to prevent freezer burn, or transfer smaller portions to airtight freezer containers. Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in the oven or microwave.

Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole Tips

Can you make bacon cheeseburger casserole vegetarian?

This is a very meaty casserole, but if you are open to plant-based meat substitutes and experimenting, you can make a vegetarian version that is different but still captures the spirit of the dish. You can use vegan carrot bacon instead of pork bacon or just add some smoked paprika to the filling for a similar taste. Don’t forget to pick up vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, since the classic condiment contains seafood.

How can you give bacon cheeseburger casserole a crispy top?

To give the casserole a crispy top, mix some butter-toasted panko bread crumbs or crushed potato chips into the shredded cheese before baking. You can also take inspiration from hot dish recipes and add a layer of Tater Tots to the top of the casserole to bake into a crunchy, golden potato topping.

What should I serve with bacon cheeseburger casserole?

Bacon cheeseburger casserole is a pretty complete meal, especially if you add plenty of fresh tomatoes, onions and pickles. Like any good burger recipe, a side of french fries or onion rings pairs well, or you can tap into diner vibes and blend some frosty milkshake recipes to sip on. A green side salad is a great idea as well for some fresh raw veggies and crunch to go along with this hearty dish.