Many of my recipes come from asking people what they’re having for dinner and then making a gluten free version with my own spin on it! This Big Mac Casserole Recipe came from a phone call with my sister, and it is amazing!!! The ingredients are simple but the flavors are bold and delicious!
So the next time you’re unsure of what to make for dinner, give this Big Mac Casserole recipe a try! It can be ready in under 20 minutes and it’s kid-friendly!
A Big Mac is known for its special sauce, which is basically Thousand Island dressing, but for this recipe, we're just whipping it up in a pan instead of using store-bought sauce. And trust me, the homemade burger sauce tastes amazing. Full disclosure, you don't have to put this recipe in the oven. You can just whip it up in a skillet and serve it as sloppy joes for a delicious dairy free option.
This recipe has all of the classic flavors of a Big Mac, and it's a budget friendly recipe your whole family will love.
WHAT INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE KETO BIG MAC CASSEROLE
Ground beef: I like to use lean ground beef for this recipe, but ground turkey tastes great too. If using a fattier beef, drain excess grease before adding the rest of the ingredients to the skillet.
Mayo: Duke's is the best mayo, hands down, but for a healthier option, choose an avocado oil mayo
Ketchup: Any ketchup will do, I use Primal Kitchen because it's a sugar-free ketchup.
Paprika: This is probably not an ingredient you expect, but it's a great addition to the creamy Big Mac sauce.
Relish: I use sweet pickle relish to add a sweetness to the delicious Big Mac sauce, but dill pickle relish works in a pinch if you don't like that sweet taste.
White white vinegar: White distilled vinegar is also great. Any white vinegar you have on hand will work.
Dill pickles: Dice up some pickle slices or add dill relish in addition to the relish we used already.
Onion: White onion, yellow onion, and sweet onions all taste great in this cheeseburger casserole. Red onion is too overpowering, so it's not recommended.
Cheese: Melty cheese is what makes this dish a casserole. If you don't want cheese, there's no need to bake this dish. Just serve it up sloppy Joe style if you're keeping it dairy free. Shredded cheddar and American cheese are perfect for this recipe.
Buns for serving: Whether you're making this as a casserole or serving it like sloppy joes, serving it on buns is the way to go. Choose a bun with sesame seeds if you're going for that classic Big Mac taste, or check out this guide for my favorite gluten free bread options.
Lettuce: If you're keeping it keto, serve the casserole over a bed of shredded lettuce, or use lettuce cups. Otherwise, add the shredded lettuce to the top of the casserole before you add your top bun.
HOW TO MAKE BIG MAC CASSEROLE:
- Add meat and diced onions to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink.
- Add mayo, ketchup, paprika, relish, vinegar, and pickles, and stir to combine
- Pour ground beef mixture into 8x8 casserole dish and spread cheese into a single layer on top of the beef mixture.
- Place casserole dish under oven broiler for about 1-2 minutes, until cheese is golden brown and melted.
- Serve on gluten free buns and top with lettuce or serve over lettuce for a low carb option
WHAT TO SERVE WITH BIG MAC CASSEROLE:
If you're rolling through the drive thru, a Big Mac is serve with French fries. You can serve this casserole with fries, crispy tater tots,
CAN I MAKE HAMBURGER CASSEROLE IN THE CROCKPOT?
Yes! Add everything but the buns, lettuce, and cheese to your crockpot (slow cooker) and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Add cheese to top about 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to serving to allow it time to melt.
CAN I MAKE VEGAN BIG MAC SLOPPY JOES?
Absolutely! Use a ground meat substitute and vegan mayo for a delicious vegan meal your whole family will love!
HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVER BIG MAC CASSEROLE?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
MORE BUDGET FRIENDLY RECIPES YOU WILL ENJOY:
Big Mac Salad (low carb, gluten free)
The Easiest Big Mac Casserole Recipe (gluten free, dairy free)
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef I use 96% lean
- ¾ cup mayo
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon relish sweet
- ½ tablespoon white wine vinegar or white distilled vinegar
- ¼ cup diced dill pickles
- ¼ cup diced onions
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- buns for serving
- lettuce for topping optional
Instructions
- Add meat and diced onions to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink.
- Add mayo, ketchup, paprika, relish, vinegar, and pickles, and stir to combine
- Pour ground beef mixture into 8x8 casserole dish and spread cheese into a single layer on top of the beef mixture.
- Place casserole dish under oven broiler for about 1-2 minutes, until cheese is golden brown and melted.
- Serve on gluten free buns and top with lettuce or serve over lettuce for a low carb option