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
