Big Mac Casserole Recipe — A Full Living

Name: Big Mac Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons avocado oil (divided); 3 medium red skin potatoes (diced); 3-4 teaspoons kosher salt (to taste and divided); 2 teaspoons garlic powder (divided ); 1 teaspoon onion powder; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional ); 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (divided ); 2 pounds ground beef (85% lean); 1 large yellow onion (diced); 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 3 tablespoons ketchup; 2 tablespoons mustard; 8 ounces cheddar cheese; ½ cup dill pickle slices; 1/2 medium white onion (minced ); 5 ounces lettuce (chopped ); 5 ounces cherry tomatoes (halved ); 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish); Big mac dressing (optional ); Ketchup & mustard (for serving )

This Big Mac Casserole is incredibly satisfying without the fast food run. This easy recipe turns your favorite burger with the classic Big Mac flavors and delivers it in a casserole form. Save money and prep meals for the week, or feed the whole family a meal that they'll request over and over in under an hour with so much flavor!

Flat lay shot of a big mac casserole topped with pickles, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and more surrounded by the ingredients used to make the casserole.

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Disclosure: This post was originally published on August 9, 2016. The recipe has been updated with new photos, an improved recipe, and better instructions as of February 18th, 2024. We hope you enjoy the new look!

This tasty recipe is complete with savory seasoned ground beef, potatoes, melty cheese, your favorite burger toppings, and homemade creamy Big Mac dressing. You'll love how quickly it comes together. Plus, you only have simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry!

Whether it's a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this easy dinner recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Experiment with variations and make it your own for a delightful and satisfying meal.

Craving burgers? Try our Big Mac salad - we know you'll love it!

For more casserole recipes, try our Reuben casserole, or this jalapeno popper chicken skillet!

Jump to:

❤️Why we love this recipe
🍔Ingredients
✨Substitutions
✨Variations
🔪Prep work
📋Instructions
✨Tips & tricks
💭Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes To Consider
📖 Recipe
💬 Community

❤️Why we love this recipe

Super flavorful. Enjoy the flavors of a big mac burger and fries, in a casserole form! There's so much flavor, this will easily become one of your favorite recipes.
Family-friendly. Perfect for the whole family, this casserole is a hit with both kids and adults. It's perfect for prepping dinners to reheat throughout the week.
Easy preparation. This recipe is totally approachable and can be made by anyone, super easily!
Made with simple ingredients. This recipe is made with pantry and kitchen staples, and anything you don't have on hand can be found at any grocery store.

🍔Ingredients

Here are the ingredients we used for this recipe. You can find more information for substitutions below.

Ground beef. We recommend using 85% lean beef for this recipe. It has enough fat content to make the casserole flavorful but not greasy. You can also also use a lean ground beef instead if you'd like.
Fresh tomatoes. We usually opt for sweet cherry tomatoes, or grape tomatoes and cut them into halves or quarters. Roma tomatoes will also work just fine.
Big Mac dressing. You can make this up to 1 week in advance and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. This will help the flavor develop even more. If it thickens too much while sitting
Onions. We used a mixture of onions we had on hand, but we think the white onions are really crucial for the topping. It adds a really crisp, pungent flavor that really ties the rich bite of this casserole together!

Visit the recipe card for the full quantities and nutritional information.

✨Substitutions

Here are a few suggestions on additional flavors to try, or simple variations to this recipe.

Ground beef. Swap for lean ground beef for your favorite protein. You can use something a bit leaner just ground turkey or chicken, or even your preferred meat substitute like crumbled tofu.
Cheese. Experiment with different cheese blends. Some great options would be Colby-jack cheese or American cheese.
Toppings. Customize with your favorite burger toppings for a personalized touch. Top it with these caramelized onions and mushrooms, crispy bacon bits, jalapenos, and more.

✨Variations

Add a bit of heat. Cayenne pepper, jalapeños or red pepper flakes will add a spicy kick to the
Low carb or keto Big Mac casserole. All you need to do is omit the potatoes in this recipe to make it low carb.
Vegetarian version. Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based protein. You will also want to be sure to use vegan Worcestershire sauce, as most brands of Worcestershire sauce include anchovies.
Vegan. Follow the instructions to make this recipe vegetarian, and then use a plant-based cheese alternative.
Add croutons. If you still want the element of a bun, feel free to toast up some pieces of a sesame seed bun with a bit of olive oil until golden brown to make some tasty burger bun croutons!

🔪Prep work

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Prep a 9x13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Dice the potatoes and onions with a sharp knife.
Half or quarter the cherry tomatoes.
Shred the cheddar cheese if not using pre-shredded.

📋Instructions

Roast the Potatoes

In a baking dish, combine the potatoes with avocado oil, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. (Image 1)

Toss to combine and ensure the potatoes are in even later on the bottom of the casserole dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes until they're crispy and golden brown while you work on the ground beef filling. (Image 2) Once the potatoes are done, remove them from the oven, and drop the oven temperature to 375°F.

Potatoes in a baking dish seasoned well.

Crispy and golden brown potatoes in a white baking dish.

Cook the Filling

While the potatoes are cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining cooking oil along with the onions with a pinch of salt. Cook until the onion is softened and translucent and beginning to brown. (Image 3)

Add in the beef and season with lots of salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. (Image 4)

Cook until mostly brown and cooked through, then add in ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. (Image 5)

Stir to combine. (Image 6) Adjust seasonings and remove from the heat.

Raw ground beef in a cast iron skillet with onions.

Pour the cooked ground beef mixture into the casserole dish. Toss the beef and potatoes together using a rubber spatula to ensure there is potato mixed in throughout the entire casserole. (Image 7)

Cover everything with the shredded cheddar cheese. (Image 8)

Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is gooey and melted. (Image 9)

Ground beef and cooked potatoes in a white casserole dish.

Shredded cheese covering beef and potatoes in a casserole dish.

To serve, add dill pickles, white onion, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, sesame seeds, big mac dressing, and lettuce to the top of the casserole. Dig in and enjoy!

Close up shot of big mac casserole in the corner of a white rectangular casserole dish topped with pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup and mustard.

✨Tips & tricks

Season the potatoes very well. Don’t forget to season the potato layers heavily to ensure the casserole is flavorful throughout.
Taste as you go and adjust seasonings. To ensure the casserole tastes good to your liking, taste as you go and adjust seasonings to suit your preference.

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💭Frequently Asked Questions

How to store the leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave. Only add the fresh toppings when serving, and leave them off if you plan to have leftovers, or they will become soggy.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

You can freeze your casserole before baking for a future convenient freezer meal. You can also freeze it after cooking. Just make sure to keep it in an airtight, freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months.

Can I make a Big Mac tater tot casserole?

Definitely. You can replace the red-skinned potatoes with crispy tater tots if you like. You could even try french fries or hashbrowns. Just make sure to bake them up a little bit according to package directions so they don't get soggy while everything is in the oven.

More Recipes To Consider

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