Prepare to delight your taste buds with this incredibly easy and wonderfully filling Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole recipe! This dish is the epitome of comfort food, masterfully blending savory hamburger, rich cheese, and tender pasta into one irresistible meal. It’s the perfect solution for a hearty family dinner that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor.

Effortless Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole: Your New Favorite Dinner

Welcome to another fantastic slow cooker creation! We are committed to sharing convenient and delicious crockpot recipes regularly, especially designed to simplify your meal planning. There’s a unique magic in preparing dinner in the morning and returning home to a perfectly cooked, ready-to-serve meal. Even while working from home, the tantalizing aromas filling the air all day are a delightful (and sometimes challenging!) part of the experience.

This Slow Cooker Crock Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe is an absolute game-changer for those craving a hearty, satisfying meal. It beautifully combines the robust flavors of seasoned ground beef with the creamy, melty goodness of cheese, all brought together with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a complete meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. You might find yourself pondering whether to call it a cheeseburger pasta bake or a cheeseburger pasta casserole. For simplicity and clarity, we’re sticking with slow cooker Crockpot cheeseburger pasta, as it highlights both the cooking method and the delicious ingredients.

The distinction between a “bake” and a “casserole” often feels ambiguous, doesn’t it? Is it based on the recipe’s structure, regional culinary traditions, or simply a toss of a coin? Regardless of terminology, what matters most is the incredible taste and ease this dish brings to your dinner table. This recipe offers a delightful alternative to traditional Hamburger Helper, providing a homemade touch with minimal fuss.

If you’re a fan of recipes featuring versatile ground beef, be sure to explore our popular Crock Pot Tater Tot Casserole Recipe, a perennial favorite on our blog. For another meaty delight, our Crock Pot Queso recipe is packed with savory goodness and perfect for entertaining. And if you’re looking for a different beef experience in your slow cooker, our Crock Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe offers a flavorful and healthy option for any family dinner.

Simple Ingredients for a Flavorful Cheeseburger Casserole

One of the beauties of this crockpot cheeseburger casserole is its reliance on readily available, simple ingredients that come together to create a complex and satisfying flavor profile. Here’s a brief overview of what you’ll need. For precise measurements and detailed, step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this article.

• Oil (for browning)
• Hamburger/ground beef (the star of our cheeseburger experience)
• Onions (finely chopped for aromatic depth)
• Garlic (minced, for that essential savory kick)
• Dry Mustard (adds a subtle tang and enhances other flavors)
• Salt (to bring all the flavors into balance)
• Pepper (freshly ground for best results)
• Worcestershire Sauce (for umami richness and savory depth)
• Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes (adds a smoky, sweet, and tangy tomato base)
• Dried Oregano (a classic herb pairing with tomato and beef)
• Fresh Basil (for a burst of fresh, aromatic flavor)
• Beef Broth (adds moisture and enhances the beefy notes)
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese (for that irresistible cheesy topping)
• Shell Pasta noodles (or your preferred bite-sized pasta)

Optional Seasonings: Feel free to customize your casserole with additional onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika for an extra layer of flavor.

Essential Equipment for Your Crockpot Creation

Making this cheeseburger casserole is straightforward, and you likely already own most of the necessary kitchen tools. However, having the right equipment can make the process even smoother:

• Crockpot (Slow Cooker): We highly recommend using a slow cooker equipped with a digital timer. This feature allows the appliance to automatically switch to a “warm” setting after the cooking time is complete, ensuring your dinner is perfectly cooked without the worry of overcooking if you’re not home to turn it off immediately.
• Measuring Spoons and Cups: For accurate ingredient proportions.
• Kitchen Spoon/Stirring Utensil: For browning the meat and mixing ingredients.

Crafting Your CrockPot Cheeseburger Casserole: Step-by-Step

Creating this delicious slow cooker meal is incredibly simple. While the full, detailed instructions are provided in the printable recipe card below, here’s a concise overview to give you a clear idea of the process:

1. Brown the Beef & Aromatics: In a skillet, brown your ground beef, then add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant. Make sure to drain any excess grease before transferring this flavorful mixture to your slow cooker.
2. Combine Ingredients: To the slow cooker, add the dry mustard, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, dried oregano, fresh basil, beef broth, and a generous portion of shredded cheese. Stir everything together until well combined.
3. Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker and let the magic happen. Cook the casserole on a low setting for approximately 8 hours. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and savory base.
4. Add Pasta: About 30-60 minutes before serving, cook your shell pasta noodles according to package directions. Once al dente, drain the pasta and stir it directly into the hot beef and cheese mixture in the slow cooker. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to absorb some of the delicious sauce.

Serve hot and enjoy the hearty, comforting flavors of your homemade slow cooker cheeseburger casserole!

Preparation and Storage Tips for Convenience

This CrockPot Cheeseburger Casserole is not only delicious but also incredibly convenient, offering flexibility for meal prep and storage:

Make-Ahead: This recipe is wonderfully make-ahead friendly. With an eight-hour cook time in your slow cooker, you have plenty of time to focus on other tasks, whether that’s tackling chores or preparing additional menu items. For even greater efficiency, you can cook the pasta ahead of time and refrigerate it. Then, simply add it to the slow cooker mixture when the casserole is nearly done.

Storage: Any leftover portions of this comforting casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best quality and flavor, aim to enjoy them within three days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: To extend the life of your leftovers, transfer cooled portions of the Cheeseburger Casserole to an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will maintain its delicious flavor and texture in the freezer for up to three months. This makes it an excellent option for future quick meals!

How to Reheat: Reheating your delicious casserole is simple. Individual servings can be quickly warmed in the microwave. For larger quantities or a crispier texture, you can reheat it in your oven until heated through.

Recipe Variations: Customizing Your Cheeseburger Casserole

One of the best aspects of this Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with these variations to tailor the recipe to your taste preferences and dietary needs:

Substitutions:

• Pasta: While shell pasta works wonderfully, any small, bite-sized pasta will be delicious. Consider ditalini, penne, or classic elbow macaroni for a delightful cheeseburger macaroni experience right from your slow cooker.
• Cheese: We love shredded cheddar cheese for its classic flavor and meltability, but don’t hesitate to use your favorite shredded cheese blend! Tex-Mex, Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar, or even mozzarella would all contribute unique and delicious notes.
• Protein: If you’re looking for an alternative to ground beef, ground turkey makes an excellent lighter choice. For a plant-based option, a veggie meat crumble can be easily substituted.
• Aromatics: Both fresh and frozen chopped onions and minced garlic work perfectly. A great time-saving tip is to prep and freeze frequently used vegetables in advance, ensuring they’re always ready when inspiration strikes in the kitchen.

Burger Toppings: Unleash your inner burger enthusiast! Add any of your favorite burger toppings directly into the casserole mixture. Sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, or a drizzle of special sauce can elevate this cheeseburger mac recipe to new heights.

Vegetarian Option: To easily adapt this casserole for a vegetarian diet, simply replace the ground beef with your preferred ground meat substitute. Additionally, swap the beef broth for vegetable broth to ensure it’s completely meat-free.

Vegan Option: For a vegan version, follow the vegetarian guidance by using a plant-based ground meat substitute and vegetable broth. Furthermore, replace the shredded cheddar cheese with a high-quality plant-based cheese alternative that melts well.

Gluten-Free: For those following a gluten-free diet, this recipe can be easily modified. Ensure you use gluten-free pasta, a certified gluten-free Worcestershire sauce (as some varieties contain barley malt vinegar, which is unsafe for celiacs), and a gluten-free beef broth. Always check labels carefully for hidden gluten-containing additives.

Serving Size Adjustments: The provided recipe is designed to yield eight generous servings. You can effortlessly scale the ingredients up or down to suit your needs, whether you’re cooking for a smaller household or a larger gathering. If increasing the batch size significantly, you may need to cook in multiple slow cookers or adjust your cooking time accordingly.

Make It Spicy: For those who love a bit of heat, a few dashes of chili powder or your favorite hot sauce stirred into the mixture will give this slow cooker Cheeseburger Casserole a delightful kick!

Sugar-Free: The original recipe contains approximately 10 grams of sugar per serving. To reduce the sugar content, select sugar-free or no-sugar-added versions of ingredients like fire-roasted tomatoes or any condiments you might add.

Expert Tips for the Best Crock Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Achieving the perfect creamy, savory Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole is easy with a few helpful tips:

• Drain the Grease: After browning your ground beef, it’s crucial to thoroughly drain any excess grease before transferring it to the slow cooker bowl. This step prevents the casserole from becoming oily and ensures a cleaner, more enjoyable texture.
• Tomato Flavor Boost: We find that a 29-ounce can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes provides ample tomato flavor for this recipe. However, if you prefer a more intense tomato presence, consider stirring in a tablespoon or two of tomato paste or a squeeze of ketchup into the casserole mixture before you start the slow cooking process.
• Pickle Power: For those who truly love the classic cheeseburger experience, some enthusiasts enjoy adding chopped dill pickles to their casserole. While we haven’t tried it in this specific recipe yet, it’s a creative way to recreate that signature tangy, briny flavor within the dish.
• Nutrition Note: Please remember that detailed nutrition information, including specifics like calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, and various fats, will naturally vary depending on the specific brands and types of products you choose to use.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Crock Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

This comforting Slow Cooker Crock Pot Cheeseburger Casserole is a meal in itself, combining the best elements of a classic cheeseburger with the satisfying goodness of macaroni and cheese. However, if you’re looking to round out your meal, here are some delightful pairing suggestions to inspire your menu planning:

Savory Sides: Complement the rich flavors of the casserole with these delicious side dishes.

• Broccoli Casserole
• Apple Stuffing
• Funeral Potatoes
• BLT Pasta Salad
• Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
• Air Fryer Baked Potato
• Jiffy Cornbread with Sour Cream
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Candied Yams
• Southern Style Green Beans
• CrockPot Bourbon Baked Beans
• Cracker Barrel Carrots

Hearty Main Dishes (for a larger spread): If you’re hosting a feast, consider these complementary main dishes.

• Cracker Barrel Broccoli Cheddar Chicken
• Stovetop Meatloaf
• Chicken Casserole with Ritz Crackers
• CrockPot Rosemary Pork
• Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings
• CrockPot Macaroni & Cheese with Ham
• CrockPot Salisbury Steak
• CrockPot Ham & Cheese Grits

Sweet Endings (Desserts): Finish your meal on a sweet note with these delightful desserts.

• Ooey-Gooey Butter Cake
• Lemon Bars
• Lemon Icebox Pie
• Best Rice Krispie Treats
• Bisquick Blueberry Cobbler
• Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
• Bisquick Apple Cobbler
• Bisquick Peach Cobbler
• Molasses Cookies
• Banana Bread
• Classic Chocolate Brownies

Refreshing Drinks: Quench your thirst with these accompanying beverages.

• Coke Slushie
• Red Robin Freckled Lemonade
• CopyCat McDonald’s Sweet Tea

When to Serve This Versatile Casserole

This Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Casserole is incredibly adaptable and perfect for a variety of occasions:

• Weekday Lunch: Ideal for hearty leftovers that reheat beautifully.
• Family Dinner: A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that simplifies weeknight cooking.
• Potlucks: Easy to transport and always a hit at communal meals.
• Casual Cookouts: A fantastic alternative to traditional burgers, offering all the flavor in a convenient casserole form.
• Family and Friend Gatherings: Perfect for feeding a crowd without spending all your time in the kitchen.

More Delicious Crockpot Recipes to Explore

If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and flavor of slow cooker cooking, we have many more recipes to share that utilize this wonderful kitchen appliance. Expand your repertoire with these additional crockpot favorites:

• CrockPot Green Bean Casserole
• CrockPot French Onion Soup
• CrockPot Salisbury Steak
• CrockPot Boiled Peanuts
• CrockPot Tater Tot Casserole

Discover more culinary inspiration by checking out our extensive collection of copycat recipes, irresistible dessert recipes, and of course, all our convenient CrockPot Recipes. Happy cooking!

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Slow Cooker Crock Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Delicious Slow Cooker CrockPot Cheeseburger Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 497 kcal

Author: Tammilee Tips

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
• 1 ½ lbs hamburger (browned)
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 Tablespoon Mustard Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 29 oz Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes (diced)
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1 cup fresh basil (chopped)
• ½ cup Beef Broth
• ¾ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 12 oz shell pasta (uncooked)

Instructions

1. Brown hamburger, add in onions and garlic. Transfer to crock pot.
2. Add in mustard, salt, pepper, Worcestershire Sauce, fire roasted tomatoes, oregano, basil, beef broth and cheese.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.
4. Cook pasta according to the directions and stir into beef mixture.

Kitchen Tools

• Slow cooker
• Measuring Spoons and Cups
• Kitchen Spoon/Stirring Utensil

Nutrition Facts

Slow Cooker Crock Pot Cheeseburger Casserole

Amount Per Serving

Calories 497

Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g 14%

Saturated Fat 3g 19%

Cholesterol 11mg 4%

Sodium 1011mg 44%

Potassium 303mg 9%

Carbohydrates 83g 28%

Fiber 4g 17%

Sugar 10g 11%

Protein 18g 36%

Vitamin A 675IU 14%

Vitamin C 7.1mg 9%

Calcium 282mg 28%

Iron 4.4mg 24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe originally shared on June 28, 2018. Updated January 2021.