Transform America’s favorite burger into a hearty, family-friendly casserole that’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you’re craving comfort food but don’t have time to fuss! This Big Mac Casserole delivers all those familiar flavors you love—seasoned beef, melty cheese, crisp veggies, and that iconic special sauce—in one deliciously satisfying dish that takes just minutes to prepare. It’s like having the drive-thru experience right at your dinner table, only better!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Familiar Flavors: All the delicious components of a Big Mac burger transformed into a convenient, shareable casserole that will have everyone asking for seconds.
  • Weeknight Wonder: Ready in under 30 minutes, this casserole is perfect for those evenings when you need something substantial but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
  • Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike go crazy for this dish—it bridges the gap between fast food cravings and homemade goodness.
  • Versatile: Easy to customize with additional toppings or ingredient swaps to suit your family’s preferences.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Ground Beef: The star of the show! Lean ground beef provides that classic burger flavor while keeping the dish from becoming too greasy. The higher protein content in 96/4 gives you more bang for your buck.
  • Russet Potatoes: These stand in for the burger bun while adding hearty substance and comfort-food appeal. Leave the skin on for extra nutrients and texture.
  • Onion: Adds aromatic flavor to the beef as it cooks. White onion gives that authentic burger joint taste.
  • Yellow Mustard: Just a touch brings that distinctive tang that’s essential to the Big Mac experience.
  • Garlic and Onion Powder: These add depth of flavor to the meat without overpowering it.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Creates that irresistible melty layer that binds everything together. Freshly shredded melts better than pre-packaged.
  • Mayonnaise and Ketchup: The base of our Big Mac sauce—simple but absolutely essential.
  • Dill Pickles and Pickle Juice: The secret weapons that give the sauce its signature zip and tang. Don’t skip the juice!
  • Fresh Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, more onion, and pickle chips finish the dish with fresh crunch and color, just like the real thing.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to mix things up? Here are some delicious twists on the classic:

  • Breakfast Mac: Add scrambled eggs on top for a morning version that will start your day with a smile.
  • Spicy Mac Casserole: Mix in some diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the meat mixture for those who like a kick.
  • Lighter Version: Substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef, and use Greek yogurt instead of mayo in the sauce.
  • Loaded Mac: Add bacon bits, sliced mushrooms, or avocado to take this comfort dish to the next level.

How to Make Big Mac Casserole

Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Wash and chop potatoes into small bite-sized pieces (smaller cooks faster!). Heat olive oil in a pan, add potatoes with water, and season generously. Cook until softened, about 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Transfer to your baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture

In the same pan (fewer dishes to wash!), cook the ground beef and onions until the meat is mostly browned and onions are soft. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard. Stir well to incorporate all those flavors throughout the meat.

Step 3: Combine and Bake

Add the seasoned beef and onion mixture to the potatoes in your baking dish and mix well. Top evenly with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes until the cheese is gloriously melted and everything is heated through.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

While the casserole bakes, make the Big Mac sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped pickles, and pickle juice. Stir until well mixed and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 5: Add Fresh Toppings

Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and discard the foil. Drizzle all that delicious sauce over the top, then sprinkle with shredded lettuce, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, and pickle chips.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Potato Size Matters: Cut your potatoes small and uniformly for faster, even cooking.
  • Cheese Trick: Freshly grate your cheese instead of using pre-shredded for better melting and flavor.
  • Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the ingredients instead of just mixing.
  • Meat Selection: Don’t go too lean with your beef—a little fat adds flavor. The 96/4 is perfect as it provides flavor without excess grease.
  • Make-Ahead Sauce: The Big Mac sauce actually tastes better when made a few hours ahead, allowing the flavors to marry.

How to Serve

This Big Mac Casserole is a meal in itself, but here are some serving suggestions to round out your dinner:

Sides:

Pair with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Air fryer french fries make an especially appropriate accompaniment!

Presentation:

Serve directly from the baking dish for casual family dinners, or portion onto plates and garnish with extra pickle chips and a drizzle of sauce for a more impressive presentation.

Beverages:

A cold cola or milkshake completes the fast-food-at-home experience, or balance the richness with iced tea or sparkling water.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This casserole keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. I recommend storing any unused fresh toppings separately to maintain their crispness.

Freezing

You can freeze the base casserole (without the sauce and fresh toppings) for up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated leftovers in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or in a 350°F oven until heated through (about a 15 minutes). For frozen casserole, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Add fresh toppings just before serving.

FAQs

  1. Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?

    Absolutely! Sweet potatoes will add a slight sweetness that works surprisingly well with the savory beef and tangy sauce. They’ll cook a bit faster than russets, so keep an eye on them when pre-cooking.

  2. Is there a way to make this recipe lower in calories?

    Yes, you can use lean ground turkey instead of beef, Greek yogurt in place of some or all of the mayonnaise, and reduce the cheese by half. You’ll still get great flavor but with fewer calories.

  3. Can I prepare this dish in advance for a party?

    Definitely! You can prepare the potato and beef mixture up to a day ahead, then just add cheese and bake when ready to serve. Make the sauce ahead too, but add the fresh toppings just before serving.

  4. My family doesn’t like pickles. Can I omit them?

    While pickles are signature to the Big Mac flavor, you can certainly adjust to your family’s taste. Try substituting relish or a splash of vinegar to maintain some of that tangy element without the pickle pieces.

Final Thoughts

This Big Mac Casserole brings fast food comfort to your dinner table in a form that’s not only delicious but actually satisfying in a way drive-thru food rarely is. It’s a crowd-pleaser that combines nostalgia with real, homemade goodness. Give it a try the next time you’re craving those familiar flavors but want something a little more substantial and shareable. Your family will thank you!

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Big Mac Casserole Recipe

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Calorie
Print Recipe

Description

This Big Mac Casserole combines all the delicious flavors of a classic Big Mac into a comforting baked dish. With layers of seasoned potatoes, ground beef, melted cheese, and a homemade Big Mac sauce, it’s a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lbs. lean ground beef (96/4)
  • 1 lbs. russet potatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 white onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 2 tsp. yellow mustard
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (112g)

Big Mac Sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (55g)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup (65g)
  • 1/4 cup dill pickles, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. dill pickle juice

Toppings

  • 1 vine tomato, chopped
  • Handful of white onions, chopped
  • Handful of shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and chop the potatoes into small bite-sized pieces, leaving the skin on.
  2. Cook the Potatoes: Heat a pan over medium heat and add olive oil and the chopped potatoes. Pour 1/4 cup of water into the pan and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the potatoes begin to soften, approximately 5-10 minutes. Transfer the softened potatoes to a baking dish.
  3. Cook the Beef and Onions: In the same pan, add the ground beef and onions. Cook until the beef is almost completely cooked through and the onions are soft. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard. Stir well to combine, then add the mixture to the baking dish with the potatoes, mixing everything together.
  4. Bake the Casserole: Top the potato and beef mixture with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
  5. Prepare the Big Mac Sauce: While the casserole bakes, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped pickles, and pickle juice in a bowl. Mix well and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  6. Add the Toppings: Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven and take off the foil. Drizzle the Big Mac sauce evenly over the top of the casserole. Add shredded lettuce, chopped white onion, chopped tomatoes, and dill pickle chips as toppings.
  7. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the casserole warm with all the toppings and enjoy the flavors of a Big Mac in casserole form!

Notes

  • Nutrition facts are an estimate. For the most accurate portion sizes, weigh the final dish and divide by the servings.
  • Feel free to use any type of ground meat, though ground beef gives the most authentic Big Mac flavor.
  • Extra Big Mac sauce can be used as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
  • The serving size includes all the Big Mac sauce, one chopped vine tomato, a handful of white onion, a handful of shredded lettuce, and approximately 1/4 cup dill pickle chips.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of the dish
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 16g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 21g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg
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Hey, I'm Emily! I'm a home cook with a passion for fun, real recipes that make my kitchen my happy place. Dive in and share the flavor of my everyday foodie adventures!

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