This rich and cheesy Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole is an easy and delicious one-pan meal for the whole family. It has all the flavors of a classic burger, with only 15 minutes of prep time, for a comforting dinner at its finest.
Life can get chaotic, but dinnertime shouldn’t be. So when the weather gets chilly, we like to make this easy and comforting Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole recipe that brings everyone to the table fast. It’s got all the delicious, classic cheeseburger flavors in a super convenient slow cooker casserole. It’s simple, satisfying and makes dinner stress-free.
Seasoned ground beef, a velvety cheese sauce, and crunchy tangy pickles make this creamy slow cooker hamburger casserole the perfect “set it and forget it” crock pot meal. When you’re craving hearty comfort food, this is the perfect recipe. My kids actually request at least once a month!
If you like this comforting one pot meal, try these other easy slow cooker recipes. We love this hearty Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole and our mouthwatering, fall apart Crock Pot Roast for a simple, tasty dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Slow Cooker Recipe: Simply add ingredients to the slow cooker, set it, forget it, then serve. This recipe has minimal prep with big flavor payoff. It really doesn’t get much easier!
- Ultimate Comfort Food: Classic flavors of a hearty cheeseburger are combined and baked into a rich, cheesy casserole. It’s the ultimate warm and hearty comfort food creation.
- Simple Ingredients: This casserole is made with easy, familiar ingredients. Most items are pantry and fridge staples you already have on hand.
- Great for Leftovers: This is delicious served immediately, but leftovers also reheat beautifully. It’s a meal that can be enjoyed all throughout the week.
- Make-Ahead Meal: You can make this casserole ahead of time making it ultra meal-prep friendly. Make it in advance to save time, and bake when you’re ready to eat.
Ashlee’s Tip: You don’t even need to cook the noodles for this casserole, the slow cooker does it for you! Truly a one-pot meal.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: For the classic cheeseburger patty vibe. We like 80/20 here for maximum flavor and juiciness. You can easily use 90/10 if you’d like to go leaner.
- Onions and Garlic: Aromatics to flavor the beef.
- Pickles: Tangy dill pickles are a must for a cheeseburger.
- Noodles: Use uncooked pasta and choose your favorite shape. We like shells or elbows for their classic look, plus they hold the cheese sauce best.
- Diced Tomatoes: Keep canned tomatoes on hand at all times, they’re a great pantry staple.
- Italian Seasoning and Garlic Salt: Added flavoring to enhance the other ingredients.
- Water: Just a splash to help incorporate everything.
- Salt and Pepper: Season generously, this casserole can handle it.
- Velveeta: The smoothest, creamiest, meltiest cheese to give this casserole that extra indulgent flavor and texture.
- Ketchup: To serve, because it’s a cheeseburger casserole, afterall!
How To Make Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole
1. Add the diced tomatoes, pickles, paprika, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, water, salt and pepper to the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine the ingredients.
3. In a medium pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef for about 5 minutes. Drain the excess fat and add the diced onions & saute for 2-3 minutes or until they soften.
4. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 20 seconds.
5. Turn off the heat, and transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker.
6. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions. Set aside.
7. Cook the mixture on medium heat in the slow cooker for 3 hours. After 3 hours, add the cooked pasta and Velveeta. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
8. Continue to cook for 30 minutes or until the pasta is well-combined and the cheese is melted. Top with ketchup, pickles and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Brown the Beef First: Be sure to saute your beef before adding to the slow cooker. Once it’s browned and caramelized, it’ll yield the best flavor and texture.
- Avoid Overcooking Noodles: Be careful not to overcook the pasta. You don’t want mushy noodles in this casserole.
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: Shred the cheese yourself, it’s worth it. It’ll melt smoother for a creamier consistency. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with anti-caking agents which prevents it from melting and gives it a slightly grainy texture.
- Add Cheese at the End: Stir in the cheese once the casserole is mostly cooked, for the creamiest sauce. Otherwise the cheese sauce might break or dry out entirely.
Variations
- Lighten It Up: Ground beef is the classic flavor, but try ground turkey or chicken for a lighter, still flavorful option.
- Add Mix-Ins: Add other toppings and mix-ins, just like you would with a burger. Cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, jalapenos, or caramelized onions would be delicious.
- Add Crunch: Diced dill pickles are quintessenial for that classic cheeseburger flavor and add nice, fresh texture.
- Add Even More Cheese: Any melting cheeses, like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella work. But we highly recommend using Velveeta or American cheese for extra creaminess.
What To Serve with Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole
This cheeseburger casserole is absolutely delicious on its own. It’s a hearty one pot meal that covers dinnertime. But if you’d like to serve something fresh on the side, here are a few ideas:
- Lemon Caesar Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Mashed Potato Puffs (french fry vibes!)
- A simple green salad or roasted vegetables
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Garlic bread or dinner rolls
Storage
This casserole keeps beautifully and can be served for dinner the next day. Just be sure to remove it from the slow cooker first. Then, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat leftovers over medium-low on the stovetop with a splash or two of milk or broth to loosen it up, as needed. You can also microwave the casserole in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, if you’re in a pinch.
You can also make this casserole ahead of time, divide into individual portions, and freeze, for easy lunch (or dinner) meal prep. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, pop as many out as you need, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as noted above.
FAQs
Yes! They will cook in the liquid and sauce from the other ingredients. Be sure to set the timer though, so you don’t overcook the noodles. Otherwise you’ll end up with mushy pasta.
Any good melting cheese, like cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, or mozzarella work. But we highly recommend using Velveeta or American for that extra creamy, extra smooth texture and the classic cheeseburger flavor.
You can, but we wouldn’t recommend it. The cook time would be shorter, but the noodles might not be cooked all the way through, and the sauce may be absorbed or dried out.
Be sure to use enough liquid and plenty of Velveeta or American cheese. Adjust the amounts as needed after stirring.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Creamy Chicken and Rice
- French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole
- Personal Chicken Pot Pies
- Beef and Broccoli Fried Rice
Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- In a pan, cook the ground beef, add in the mustard, Worcestershire, seasonings, and onion. Cook until down and add to crockpot. In the crockpot, add in the cream of mushroom soup, milk, pickles, 1/2 the cheese and hash browns. Mix well and cook on high 3 hours or low 5 hours.
- Once the casserole is cooked, top with remaining cheese, put the lid on, and let melt.
- Serve with diced tomatoes, ketchup or any of your favorite cheeseburger toppings
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers over medium-low on the stovetop with a splash or two of milk or broth to loosen it up, as needed. You can also microwave the casserole in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, if you’re in a pinch.
- It keeps in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve, pop as many out as you need, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as noted above.