The Big Mac Casserole Recipe is an absolute game-changer for anyone who loves the iconic flavors of a Big Mac but wants a comforting, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare at home. This casserole brilliantly captures all the savory layers — from seasoned ground beef and tender potatoes to that signature tangy burger sauce and fresh crunch from pickles and lettuce. It’s a cozy, crowd-pleasing dish that brings all the classic Big Mac ingredients into a warm, satisfying casserole form. Once you try this recipe, it might just become your new go-to weeknight favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Although this Big Mac Casserole Recipe brings together a variety of components, the ingredients are straightforward and simple, each contributing a unique texture, flavor, or zing to the final dish. From hearty ground beef to fresh veggies and that unforgettable burger sauce, every element plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance.
- Olive oil: Essential for sautéing the beef and vegetables to a golden, flavorful base.
- Lean ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken): Your protein powerhouse that carries the savory Big Mac essence.
- Gold potatoes (skin on, diced): Adds hearty texture and soaks up all those delicious flavors.
- Bell peppers (diced): Bring a fresh sweetness and vibrant color to the mix.
- Sweet onion (diced): Offers a natural sweetness that complements the savory beef perfectly.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Infuses a lovely aromatic depth throughout the layers.
- Dijon mustard: Adds subtle tang and brightness to both the meat mixture and sauce.
- Seasoning mix (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper): The flavor heroes boosting the overall profile without overwhelming.
- Cheddar cheese (shredded): Melts into a gooey, golden crust that’s pure comfort food perfection.
- Plain Greek yogurt and mayonnaise: Together they create a creamy, tangy base for the burger sauce.
- Ketchup, honey, apple cider vinegar: Key sauce ingredients that mimic the classic Big Mac tang and sweetness.
- Fresh iceberg or romaine lettuce (shredded), diced tomatoes, dill pickles, extra diced onions, and shredded cheddar: These toppings bring that signature crunch and freshness right on top.
How to Make Big Mac Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit so it’s ready for baking. Then, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add your lean ground beef. Break it up carefully with a spatula or a wooden spoon, cooking until it browns nicely for about 3 to 4 minutes. This step builds a savory foundation that you’ll love.
Step 2: Add the Veggies and Spices
Once your beef starts cooking, toss in the diced bell peppers, sweet onions, garlic, and those diced gold potatoes. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and the first bit of Dijon mustard. Stir everything together, then cover the skillet and let it cook for about 10 minutes. This ensures the potatoes soften and all the flavors marry beautifully.
Step 3: Brown and Finish the Filling
Remove the cover and give the mixture a good stir, letting it cook uncovered for another 10 minutes. This helps the potatoes take on a slight golden-brown color and adds a touch of crispness. Once the potatoes are tender and starting to brown, turn off the heat and stir in one cup of shredded cheddar. This gooey, cheesy mixture is the heart of your Big Mac Casserole Recipe.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Transfer your savory meat and veggie mixture into a 9×9-inch baking dish lightly sprayed with oil—or if your skillet is oven safe, you can use that directly. Top the casserole with the remaining half cup of cheddar cheese. Pop it into the oven and bake for 10 minutes until that cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket. Allow it to cool just slightly before moving on.
Step 5: Make the Signature Burger Sauce
While the casserole is baking, whisk together your creamy sauce. Combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, honey, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. This sauce is where that unmistakable Big Mac flavor comes to life, adding a luscious tang and richness to your casserole.
Step 6: Add Toppings and Serve
Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes after it’s out of the oven. Then, pile on those classic Big Mac toppings — shredded lettuce, diced sweet onions, dill pickles or chips, diced tomatoes, and extra cheddar if you like a cheesier bite. Finally, drizzle generously with your homemade burger sauce. For the ultimate taste experience, add toppings right before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
How to Serve Big Mac Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
Freshness is everything, so the crisp shredded lettuce, tangy pickles, and juicy diced tomatoes are more than just garnishes — they balance the richness of the casserole perfectly. A sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar cheese on top can bring even more gooey, cheesy goodness.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a meal on its own, but if you want to round it out, consider a light green salad or some crunchy carrot sticks on the side. Simple sides keep the focus on the rich, layered flavors of the Big Mac Casserole Recipe without overwhelming your palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual portions with a crispy baked potato skin or inside hollowed-out bell peppers for a fun twist. You can also turn leftovers into loaded baked potato toppings or even stuff them inside warm pita pockets for an on-the-go Big Mac feast that’s anything but ordinary.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, store your Big Mac Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating gently helps maintain the textures and that delicious burger sauce flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze the casserole, too! Wrap it tightly with foil and plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe container, where it will stay good for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best results.
Reheating
Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the entire casserole in a 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven until heated through and bubbly again. Add fresh toppings and sauce after reheating to keep that delightful crunch and tang.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken works great in this Big Mac Casserole Recipe. They offer a lighter alternative while still soaking up all the wonderful flavors from the seasonings and sauces.
Is this casserole spicy?
Not at all. The spices used, such as paprika and garlic powder, add warmth and depth without heat, making the dish friendly for all taste preferences.
Can I make the burger sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The sauce actually tastes better after the flavors meld for a few hours in the fridge. Just store it in a sealed container and give it a quick stir before using.
Can this recipe be doubled for a larger crowd?
Definitely. Simply double the ingredients and use a larger baking dish or two dishes. Just adjust the baking time slightly, checking for melted cheese and bubbly edges.
What’s the best type of potato to use?
Gold potatoes are perfect because they hold their shape well but become tender and slightly crispy, which adds fantastic texture to the casserole.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a comforting dish that brings together the iconic flavors of a Big Mac with the ease of a single casserole, this Big Mac Casserole Recipe should be at the top of your dinner list. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with family or friends. Give it a try and watch it quickly turn into a cherished classic in your home kitchen!
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Big Mac Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Big Mac Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dish inspired by the classic Big Mac burger. Combining seasoned ground beef, diced potatoes, bell peppers, and onions, it’s topped with melted cheddar cheese and finished with a homemade burger sauce and fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. Perfect for a family dinner, it captures the flavors of a Big Mac in a warm, cheesy casserole.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey/chicken
- 4 cups gold potatoes (skin on, washed and diced)
- 2 bell peppers (diced, about 2 cups)
- 1 sweet onion (small, diced, about 1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Burger Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat or 2%)
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise (more to taste)
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1.5 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Pinch of salt (more to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Toppings
- Iceberg or romaine lettuce (shredded)
- Tomatoes (diced)
- Dill pickles (diced or chips)
- Sweet onion (diced)
- Cheddar cheese (shredded, optional extra)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Ground Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it into pieces with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook for 3-4 minutes until it begins to brown.
- Add Vegetables and Spices: Add diced bell peppers, sweet onion, minced garlic, and diced potatoes to the skillet. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and 1 tbsp dijon mustard over the ingredients. Stir to combine, then cover the skillet and let cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish Cooking Vegetables: Remove the cover and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the potatoes are softened and start to brown.
- Add Cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the meat and vegetable mixture.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Move the mixture into a lightly oiled 9×9” baking dish or keep it in an oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake Casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- Make Burger Sauce: While the casserole bakes, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, ketchup, dijon mustard, garlic powder, paprika, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk thoroughly to make the burger sauce.
- Assemble and Serve: After the casserole has cooled about 10 minutes, top it with shredded lettuce, diced onions, pickles, tomatoes, extra cheddar cheese if desired, and drizzle generously with the prepared burger sauce. Add toppings just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Leaving the potato skins on adds more fiber and nutrients to the dish.
- The casserole can be made ahead and reheated; add fresh toppings and sauce after reheating.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise and ketchup in the burger sauce to suit your taste preferences.
- Use an oven-safe skillet to reduce cleanup if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
