Description
So you know how sometimes you’re craving that classic Big Mac taste but don’t feel like hitting the drive-thru? Well, I took all those iconic flavors—the seasoned beef, special sauce, pickles, onions, and even that middle bun layer—and turned them into a ridiculously satisfying casserole. It’s basically the fast food classic deconstructed into a warm, gooey, crowd-pleasing dish that tastes eerily like the real thing. My kids go absolutely nuts for this, and honestly? It’s become our guilty pleasure Sunday night dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Layer:
- 2 lbs ground beef (I use 80/20 for that authentic fast food flavor)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I won’t judge)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the “Middle Bun” Layer:
- 6 hamburger buns, torn into bite-sized pieces (stale ones actually work better!)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Special Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise (full fat is best here)
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (the secret ingredient!)
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Casserole Assembly:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (the orange kind for that classic look)
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 8 slices American cheese (yes, the plastic-wrapped kind)