Big Mac Casserole Bake (Printable Format)

Savor ground beef, tangy sauce, and layers of cheese and toasted buns in this comfort casserole.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Beef Layer

01 - 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 medium onion, finely diced (approximately 1 cup)
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder

→ Middle Bun Layer

10 - 6 hamburger buns, torn into bite-sized pieces
11 - 2 tablespoons butter, melted
12 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
13 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

→ Special Sauce

14 - 1 cup mayonnaise (full fat recommended)
15 - 1/4 cup ketchup
16 - 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
17 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
18 - 1 tablespoon white vinegar
19 - 1 teaspoon sugar
20 - 1 teaspoon paprika
21 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
22 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

→ Assembly and Topping

23 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
24 - 8 slices American cheese
25 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
26 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
27 - 1/4 cup onion, diced
28 - Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. When the beef is about halfway cooked, add diced onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking until meat is fully browned and onion is soft. Drain excess fat, leaving a small amount for flavor. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Tear hamburger buns into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, sesame seeds, and garlic powder. Pour butter mixture over bun pieces and toss to evenly coat. Spread buns on a baking sheet and toast in preheated oven for 5 minutes until lightly golden and slightly crisp.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
04 - Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Evenly spread half of the beef mixture in the bottom of the dish. Lay 4 slices of American cheese over the beef, then sprinkle with half the chopped pickles and half the diced onion. Drizzle one-third of the special sauce over the layer. Arrange all toasted bun pieces evenly over the top. Drizzle another one-third of the special sauce over the buns. Add remaining beef mixture, then top with remaining 4 slices of American cheese. Evenly distribute shredded cheddar over the surface.
05 - Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and edges are golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
06 - Top baked casserole with shredded lettuce, remaining chopped pickles, remaining diced onion, and drizzle with the rest of the special sauce. Serve hot.

# Supplementary Details:

01 - Stale hamburger buns hold up better in the casserole and prevent sogginess.

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