Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey makes a lighter version of this casserole. Add an extra tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and a teaspoon of beef bouillon to enhance the flavor, as turkey is naturally milder than beef. The cooking process remains exactly the same, and you'll still get that satisfying burger experience with fewer calories.

My family doesn't like pickles. Can I leave them out?

Of course! The pickles add that classic burger tanginess, but you can definitely omit them. Consider adding 2 tablespoons of pickle juice to the meat mixture to maintain some of that flavor, or substitute finely diced bell peppers for a different crunch and flavor. Your casserole will still be delicious without pickles.

Can I make this in advance for a potluck?

This is a perfect potluck dish! Prepare it completely, but bake it for only 15 minutes covered at home. Transport it carefully, then finish the baking (5 minutes covered plus the 5 minutes uncovered) at your destination. This ensures it will be hot and fresh when served. If that's not possible, bake it completely, wrap well, and reheat covered at 350°F for about 20 minutes at the potluck location.

How can I make this gluten-free?

Use your favorite gluten-free hamburger buns and check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free (many brands are, but not all). Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free. The casserole will have a slightly different texture with gluten-free buns, but will still deliver that fantastic cheeseburger flavor everyone loves.

Chopped Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe

Name: Chopped Cheeseburger Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs lean ground beef; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 1 cup diced pickles (sweet or dill, according to your preference); 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; ½ cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons yellow mustard; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 tablespoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 8 hamburger buns; 3 tablespoons butter, melted; 2 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon butter, melted; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Description

This Chopped Cheeseburger Casserole combines all your favorite cheeseburger flavors—savory ground beef, cheddar cheese, pickles, and classic condiments—layered over buttery toasted hamburger buns and baked to perfection. Easy and hearty, it’s a great family-friendly main course perfect for busy weeknights or for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup diced pickles (sweet or dill, according to your preference)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 8 hamburger buns
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Topping

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it is ready for baking when needed.
Brown the Ground Beef – In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and crumble it well as it cooks. Stir in the diced onions and cook until the beef is fully browned and onions have softened. Drain the grease from the skillet.
Add Flavorings – To the beef mixture, add diced pickles, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine, then reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer while preparing the buns.
Prepare the Baking Dish – Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Chop and Toast the Bottom Buns – Take the bottom halves of all 8 hamburger buns and cut each into 9 even pieces. Place the pieces evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of melted butter over the bun pieces, then toast them in the preheated oven for 8 minutes or until lightly golden.
Layer the Casserole – Remove the toasted buns from the oven. Evenly spoon the beef and pickle mixture over the toasted bun pieces. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the beef layer.
Add the Top Buns and Toppings – Place the 8 top buns over the cheese layer. Brush the tops with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the top buns.
Bake – Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake at 400°F for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking, uncovered, for an additional 5 minutes, or until the buns are golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Rest and Serve – Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

You can use either sweet or dill pickles based on taste preference.
For a different cheese flavor, try mixing cheddar with mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce or omit the mustard.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Feel free to add cooked bacon or sautéed mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 560
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 1085mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 126mg