PF
Close-up of a homemade baked macaroni and cheese in a white dish. Perfect comfort food for lunch or dinner.
Stovetop~35 minComplexity

Cheeseburger Casserole

This Cheeseburger Casserole delivers 59g protein and 853 calories per serving — a top-tier option for lifters bulking or fueling high-volume training blocks. Quick-preps 4 servings on the stovetop, maximizing both protein intake and caloric density in minimal prep time.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 93/7 Ground Beef(454g)
  • Tomato Paste(30g)
  • Garlic powder(5g)
  • Mustard, Dijon(5g)

    Dijon mustard — Grey Poupon or store brand. Spicier than yellow mustard.

  • Hot Sauce, Frank'S RedHot(15g)
  • Low Sodium Beef Broth(960g)
  • Pasta, Rotini, Whole Wheat, Dry(227g)
  • Greek Yogurt (Nonfat)(120g)

    Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.

  • Cheddar Cheese(360g)
  • Pickles, Dill, Canned(60g)
  • Green Onion (Scallion)(60g)
  • Water (as needed)

Instructions

  1. 1Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown at the edges.
  2. 2Increase heat to medium-high, add the ground beef, and break it into small pieces with the back of a spoon. Cook 5–6 minutes, stirring periodically, until no longer pink and browned throughout. Drain excess fat if needed, leaving a thin layer in the pan.
  3. 3Stir in the tomato paste and garlic powder. Cook and stir for 1 minute until the paste darkens slightly and caramelizes. Add the Dijon mustard and Frank's RedHot sauce, stirring to combine.
  4. 4Pour in the beef broth, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
  5. 5Add the pasta and cook 1–2 minutes under the package's al dente time, stirring frequently and scraping the bottom to prevent sticking. The pasta will continue to soften off heat. If the mixture becomes too dry, splash in water 2–3 tablespoons at a time.
  6. 6Remove from heat and let cool 1 minute. Stir in the nonfat Greek yogurt, sharp cheddar, and pickles until the cheese melts and everything is well combined.
  7. 7Fold in half of the green onions. Divide evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot, then top each portion with the remaining green onions before serving or storing.

Nutrition — Per Serving

853

calories

59g

protein

47g

fat

Carbohydrates
50g
Saturated fat
21.6g
Sodium
1238 mg
Dietary fiber
6.2g

4 servings per batch · ~582g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Cheeseburger Casserole have per serving?

Each serving delivers 59g of protein and 853 calories with 47g fat and 50g carbs. This is a high-calorie, high-protein option that works well during lean bulks when surplus calories and protein are both priorities.

How long does Cheeseburger Casserole take to prep?

This quick-prep stovetop recipe yields 4 servings in one batch, making it efficient for meal prepping multiple dinners at once. You'll have substantial portions ready without extended cooking time.

Is Cheeseburger Casserole good for muscle gain?

At 59g protein and 853 calories per serving, this recipe supports muscle gain phases where a caloric surplus combined with high protein intake is the goal. The carbohydrate content aids recovery alongside the significant protein load.

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