Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love this Big Mac Casserole because it brings all the nostalgia of a Big Mac in an easy, budget-friendly meal you can bake at home. It’s a hit with both kids and adults, packed with juicy beef, melty cheese, and that signature tangy sauce. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep — it reheats beautifully and tastes just as good the next day.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion, diced
- Eggs
- Heavy cream or milk
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Dill pickles, chopped
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Relish
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Shredded lettuce (for topping)
- Diced tomatoes (for topping)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until the beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and heavy cream (or milk) until well combined.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread the cooked beef mixture evenly across the bottom.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the beef to help bind the casserole together.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is set.
- While baking, mix mayonnaise, relish, ketchup, and a touch of mustard to create the “special sauce.”
- Once baked, let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes.
- Top with chopped dill pickles, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sesame seeds before serving. Drizzle with the special sauce.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 6–8 people.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes
Variations
- Low-carb version: Skip the egg mixture and layer with cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage instead of bread or pasta.
- Add bacon: For a bacon cheeseburger twist, mix in cooked crumbled bacon before baking.
- Use different cheese: Try American cheese for that classic fast-food flavor or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
- Make it spicy: Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the beef mixture.
- Double it: This casserole freezes well, so you can make two — one for now and one for later.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave individual servings for 1–2 minutes or warm the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10–15 minutes. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Avoid adding lettuce and tomatoes until after reheating to maintain freshness.
FAQs
What makes this casserole taste like a Big Mac?
The secret is in the combination of ground beef, cheese, pickles, and the special sauce made with mayo, ketchup, and relish.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze Big Mac Casserole?
Absolutely. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
You can substitute whole milk, half-and-half, or even unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version.
How can I make this healthier?
Use lean ground beef or ground turkey, light cheese, and a homemade light sauce. Skip the top layer of cheese if desired.
Can I use store-bought Big Mac sauce?
Yes, store-bought Big Mac or burger sauce works perfectly for topping.
Why do you add eggs to the casserole?
The eggs help bind the casserole so it holds its shape when sliced and gives it a rich texture.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free cheese and a plant-based milk alternative.
What toppings work best?
Classic toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, pickles, and sesame seeds give it that true Big Mac taste.
Does it taste good the next day?
Yes! The flavors meld beautifully overnight, making leftovers even better.
Conclusion
Big Mac Casserole brings the iconic flavors of your favorite fast-food burger straight to your dinner table — no buns required. With its layers of savory beef, melted cheese, tangy pickles, and creamy special sauce, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s easy to make and even easier to love. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something nostalgic and satisfying.
PrintBig Mac Casserole
Big Mac Casserole transforms the iconic fast-food burger into a cheesy, family-sized baked dish loaded with ground beef, melted cheese, tangy pickles, and a creamy special sauce — all the flavors of a Big Mac, no buns required.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp relish
- 1 tsp ketchup (for special sauce)
- 1/2 tsp mustard (for special sauce)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce (for topping)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (for topping)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs and heavy cream (or milk) until well blended.
- Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Pour the egg mixture evenly over the beef to help it set as it bakes.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the casserole is set.
- Meanwhile, mix mayonnaise, relish, ketchup, and mustard together to create the special sauce.
- Let the casserole cool for about 5 minutes after baking.
- Top with chopped dill pickles, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and sesame seeds.
- Drizzle the special sauce over the top before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or turkey for a lighter option.
- Omit lettuce and tomatoes before reheating to keep them fresh.
- For a low-carb version, add cauliflower rice or shredded cabbage instead of bread or pasta.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a classic flavor, try American cheese instead of cheddar.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 210mg