Description
A quick and hearty Instant Pot Cheeseburger Casserole combining ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, diced tomatoes, and sharp cheddar cheese, all cooked together in under 30 minutes. This comforting one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights, offering rich cheesy flavors and family-friendly taste with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Proteins
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
Pasta and Vegetables
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
Instructions
- Step 1: Sauté the Beef
Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if desired. - Step 2: Add Seasonings and Liquids
Sprinkle in onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot thoroughly to deglaze and prevent burning. - Step 3: Add Pasta and Tomatoes
Pour in the elbow macaroni and diced tomatoes, mixing gently so the pasta is submerged but without stirring too vigorously to prevent sticking. - Step 4: Pressure Cook
Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes to get tender pasta and melded flavors. - Step 5: Quick Release and Cheese
Perform a quick pressure release carefully, then open the lid. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the casserole, close the lid, and let the cheese melt for 1 to 2 minutes. - Step 6: Serve Warm
Give the casserole a gentle stir to combine everything, then serve warm with optional garnishes like fresh parsley, green onions, or sour cream.
Notes
- Don’t over-stir after adding pasta to prevent sticking and clumping.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best cheeseburger flavor and meltability.
- Deglaze the Instant Pot bottom thoroughly to avoid burn notices and improve flavor.
- Adjust the amount of broth according to your preferred pasta texture.
- Let the casserole rest a couple of minutes after cooking to thicken and blend flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot / Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg