Here's an easy and delicious cheeseburger casserole recipe the whole family will love. Only 15 minutes of prep and the crock pot does the rest...and no one will ever know there's a hidden veggie for extra nutritional impact!
Have you ever had a mac and cheese cheeseburger? I couldn't believe it when I saw that option on a menu once. It's literally a cheeseburger topped with mac and cheese.
Of course, my younger son ordered it, and I have to admit, it was totally awesome. Which gave me an idea to come up with a crock pot recipe to copy that mac and cheese cheeseburger taste!
Another good non-traditional option to get the yummy taste of cheeseburgers on the table is with this Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup recipe!
Why I love this recipe!
This recipe works on every level needed for a busy mom with a hungry family to feed. It is:
- Easy - I made it a crock pot recipe, because slow cooking is just so darn simple.
- Nutritious - I added cauliflower. (No one even noticed!)
- Lightened up - I used ground turkey instead of beef.
- Filling - I used a fiber-enriched pasta.
- Tasty - I added sharp cheddar cheese, mixed in ketchup, and topped it off with chopped pickles and tomatoes. Yum!
Crock pot recipes are great for feeding a crowd, or in my case, two hungry teen boys. We need a lot of food even though we are only a family of four! So I have a few other recipes like this in my arsenal as well, like my Slow Cooker Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. Or, if you are looking for something with a tomato-based sauce, this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Spinach is delicious! We enjoy it often.
How to make Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole - Step by Step
Ingredients
You will need ground turkey, chopped onion (I use frozen...yep, I'm too lazy to chop!), ketchup, frozen cauliflower, shredded sharp cheddar, macaroni, pickles, and a tomato. Also a bit of salt, and pepper to taste.
Step 1.
Boil a pot of water and cook the macaroni until it just starts to become tender - definitely no more than 5 minutes. While waiting for the pasta to cook, combine the ground turkey, onion, ketchup, and salt in a large bowl.
Step 2.
Next add the shredded cheddar and cauliflower.
Step 3.
Mix well.
Step 4.
Once the macaroni is done (remember it will still be fairly hard since you only cooked it for 5 minutes), add it to the bowl.
Step 5.
Mix gently until everything is fairly well distributed.
Step 6.
Add the mixture to the crock pot and cook on high 3-4 hours or low 5-6 hours.
FAQs
Do I need to brown the ground turkey?
There's no need to brown the ground turkey before placing it in the crockpot. However, if you would like to substitute ground beef, either make sure it is extra lean, or brown it ahead of time so you can drain off the extra grease.
Do I need to thaw the frozen onion or cauliflower?
In the interest of keeping this recipe as simple as possible, I have never bothered with thawing. Just toss them in while still frozen!
Can I use fresh onion or cauliflower?
Absolutely! Fresh is always better, if you have the time!
Can I just mix everything right in the slow cooker instead of in a bowl?
Yes, you definitely can. I personally find it easier to mix in my nice light stainless steel bowls, but of course that creates another dish to wash, so that's a good reason to do everything right in the crock pot.
More tips for making Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole
- Don't overcook the pasta before adding to the turkey mixture. Boil it no more than 5 minutes.
- Crockpots can definitely cook differently. I advise you to check the casserole at the 2 hour mark (for cooking on high) or the 4 hour mark (for cooking on low), and if the turkey is all cooked, turn the crockpot to warm until you are ready to eat.
- If you need a recipe that can cook in the crockpot all day while you are away, this probably isn't the best recipe to use. Overcooking causes the edges to get crunchy and the middle will be mushy.
- Be sure to use really flavorful sharp cheddar for the best taste.
- Make sure you don't skip the pickles and tomatoes, they are not just garnish, they really help round out the cheeseburger experience!
Variations for Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole
- More of a beef fan? Go ahead and substitute extra lean ground beef for the ground turkey. Just a note to reiterate - if you aren't using EXTRA lean ground beef, you may want to brown it first to be able to drain off the extra fat, or your casserole will be greasy.
- Do you like your casseroles a little creamier? Substitute 8 ounces of Velveeta for 1 cup of the shredded cheddar.
- Looking for more zing? Add hot sauce to taste, or put it out when serving for everyone to use as they like.
- Hoping for a chophouse burger experience? When serving, drizzle some steak sauce on top.
If you are interested in another slow cooker ground beef recipe, check out these Crock Pot Barbeque Burgers! So easy and delicious, your family will eat them up!
Or for a lightened up pasta meal with ground meat, check out my Ground Turkey Alfredo Casserole!
Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
This dish pairs well with a side salad, Baked Dill Fries or Ramen Noodle Coleslaw.
If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars!
And I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.
📋 Recipe Card
Crockpot Cheeseburger Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 ounces whole grain or fiber-enriched elbow macaroni (I used SmartTaste by Ronzoni)
- 1 pound lean ground turkey or extra lean ground beef
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ½ cup chopped onion (I used frozen)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 15 ounces frozen cauliflower
- 3 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (good, sharp cheese is important in this recipe or it will be a bit bland)
- pepper to taste
- 1 medium tomato (chopped)
- 2-3 pickles (chopped)
- fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta until just becoming tender (about 5 minutes). Drain.6 ounces whole grain or fiber-enriched elbow macaroni
- While the pasta is cooking, mix the turkey, ketchup, onion, and salt in a large bowl. Add pepper if desired. Add the frozen cauliflower, and shredded cheddar, and combine.1 pound lean ground turkey or extra lean ground beef, ¼ cup ketchup, ½ cup chopped onion, ½ teaspoon salt, 15 ounces frozen cauliflower, 3 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, pepper to taste
- Once the macaroni is done, drain it and fold it into the turkey mixture.
- Place entire mixture into the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
- When plating, sprinkle each serving with the chopped tomatoes and pickles, or set out in bowls for self-service.1 medium tomato, 2-3 pickles
- Garnish with parsley if desired.fresh parsley for garnish
Notes
- There is no need to brown the turkey or beef beforehand.
- There is no need to thaw the onion or cauliflower beforehand.
- The pasta will just be very slightly cooked when you add it to the mixture for the crockpot. Be careful to not overdo it or it will be mushy by the time you serve it.
- The pickles and tomatoes are important to get the cheeseburger experience!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in April 2014, but was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in April 2019.
If you are a fan of cheeseburgers...
You might also like this Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Pie, or these yummy Cheeseburger Quesadillas!
Thanks so much for reading! I also invite you to follow me on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, or INSTAGRAM to keep up with what's going on in my kitchen.
And you might want to check out my Dizzy Busy and Hungry store on Amazon for a whole bunch of great kitchen products I love!
Happy cooking!
Kris
This recipe was a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT! I work all day and need a recipe that takes 8-9 hours to cook. When I got home and looked at the crock pot, dinner looked like dog food. I mixed it up hoping for better results and the macaroni was absolute mush. Never making this again. Sorry for the bad review but I don't want others to get home to the same situation I had yesterday.
Kristin King
I am sorry to hear that! I appreciate the feedback. I am not sure why it didn't work out for you, but sometimes it can be a difference in the brand of pasta or the cook temperature of the crock pot. I definitely agree that it isn't the prettiest dish (you can see why in the picture I dressed it up with tomato chunks and fresh parsley!) In any event, thanks for stopping by and I am sorry you did not have luck with this dish.
Jennifer
We unfortunately don't have "24 ounces frozen cauliflower with reduced-fat cheese sauce" where I live. Is there something with which I could substitute? Should I make my own cheese sauce and add frozen/fresh cauliflower, or do you have another idea? How much cheese sauce does it have? Looks delicious, and I would love to make it!
Kristin King
I had the same problem recently, I could not find that product and so I had to substitute! I just used 24 ounces plain cauliflower and added another cup of the shredded cheddar. It turned out pretty good, but I think next time I may try using a little Velveeta to see if that makes it creamier. And making your own cheese sauce is definitely an option as well, I would try using about 1/2 cup to start with and then adjust based on how that turns out. Let me know what you try and how it turns out! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Carolyn
Try using low fat evaporated milk in the mix, it makes the cheese saucy, and you don’t have to worry about the salt etc. Used in processing the velveeta
Kristin
That's a great idea, Carolyn!
jackie
i was wondering if i could make this ahead of time and put it in the frezzer. as mixing it together and put in the frezzer then trow it in the crock pot the day of cooking?? thank u
Kristin King
That is an awesome idea, Jackie! I would definitely give it a shot and see how it turns out. I think it will be fine. And it is a great way to prepare ahead of time if you know you have a really busy day coming up! 🙂
Beth Schuette
I know you tried to make this a healthy meal but I was wondering would I be able to substitute ground beef for the Ground turkey? sorry my husband would go crazy if he knew it was ground turkey he is a beef guy since we raise our own beef cows.
Thanks
Kristin King
LOL, I totally understand, Beth! I think you can definitely use ground beef with this if you want. If it is not really lean ground beef, you might want to brown it first so you can drain off the fat. But if it is really lean, like 93% or more, then you should be able to just follow the recipe as it is, I would think. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you like how it turns out! 🙂
Sandra - The Foodie Affair
I know the feeling when it comes to old blog photos! I cringe at some of mine. One day I'll go back and redo a few! I love all the flavors in this meal and so easy when you get the help from a slow cooker!
Frances
Looks yummy !
Anyonita
This is a lovely idea! 🙂 The fresh tomatoes really help to enliven it, I bet! 🙂 I'll have to make this for my boys; I know they'd enjoy it!
Rachel Kathyg @ onlinesisterhood
Love that this is a crock pot recipe---looks yummy! This photo is definitely a keeper! Looks fresh and tasty! Photography is a work in progress for me for sure as well:) Have a great week!
Robyn @ simply fresh dinners
Your photography is lovely, Kristin and definite improvements, lol. I cringe when I look at last year's photos and I still have to find the time to re-shoot them! But it's all part of the learning process. How else can we measure how far we've come if we can't look back and laugh at our old ones? lol. This recipe looks yummy. Thanks for sharing it!
Sammi @Sammi Sunshine
I have a few recipes that need updated pictures, too... lol. I like to use my crock pot in the summer because it keeps my house cooler! I wish I could grill every day though. 🙂
Peace & Sunshine,
Sammi at Sammi Sunshine- A Food Blog