• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Not Enough Cinnamon
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • ABOUT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home / Recipes / Big Mac Burger Casserole with Special Sauce (Dairy Free & Whole30)

    Big Mac Burger Casserole with Special Sauce (Dairy Free & Whole30)

    Published on Apr 15, 2021 · Last updated on Aug 24, 2021 ·

    217 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Whenever you’re craving a burger, this easy Whole30 Big Mac burger Casserole will do the trick! It has all the flavors we love about a burger. The ground beef, the pickles, the lettuce and tomato, and most importantly - the special sauce. An easy dinner for weeknights!  

    overhead shot of a big mac burger casserole with a spoon

    Try this healthy Burger Casserole with everything but the bun!

    In our journey of healthy eating, we all have those days when we simply need a burger and nothing else will do!  Sometimes I would just make some turkey burgers and eat them as a lettuce burger for a quick bite. But now I found another healthy option to get that burger fix - one that is more family-friendly and apt for sit-down dinners!

    Enter this easy peasy Big Mac Casserole that comes with ALL the flavors we look for in a burger and allows you to skip the drive-thru altogether forever and always if you ask me!

    overhead shot of a healthy burger casserole drizzled with homemade special sauce

    This casserole is super easy, and quick to make! This recipe has the meat, the pickles all of the other burger toppings of the famous burger chain restaurant, secret special sauce included!

    To cut down on the cost and bulk this casserole up without going completely crazy on the meat, I added some roasted sweet potatoes and I find it makes this meal just perfectly filling without feeling heavy.

    a white casserole dish with healthy BLT burger casserole drizzled with special sauce

    As for my burger toppings, I went with  the classic Big Mac Combo - shredded iceberg lettuce, diced white onion, sesame seeds and chopped tomatoes! So we have everything but the cheese and the bun! Does this casserole need it? No! I am not a fan of processed cheese and the special sauce adds all the tang and creaminess we want! But if you're a purist, sprinkle the meat and veggie mix with some greated cheddar before baking!

    How to make Big Mac Burger Casserole:

    picture collage demonstrating how to make special sauce

    Step 1 & 2 - Make the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

    picture collage demonstrating how to roast sweet potatoes and chop vegetables for burger casserole recipe

    Step 3 &4-  Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Peel and dice the sweet potato into small cubes (1cmx1cm). Put them in a large casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes while you prep the rest of the ingredients.

    Step 5 - Dice your onion, bell peppers, pickles and tomatoes.

    ground beef being fried in a skillet then tossen with special sauce for burger casserole recipe

    Step 6 - Add diced onion and ground beef into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the onion is translucent and the beef is browned, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the spices during the last minute. Drain well to remove the excess fat, if any.

     Step 7 &8 - Stir in about ½ cup of the special Sauce, leaving only some for decoration.

    picture collage demonstrating how to assemble burger casserole recipe

    Step 9 & 10- Transfer the beef, onion and sauce mixture to the casserole dish with your pre-cooked sweet potato and all your other veggies. Add sesame seeds and mix to combine all of the ingredients. Spread in an even layer, cover with foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.

    a sliver spoon being stuck into a casserole dish with healthy burger casserole

    Remove from the oven and top with your favorite burger toppings and additional Special Sauce.

    Whenever you’re craving a burger, this easy bic mac burger casserole will do the trick!It has all flavor we love about a burger. The ground beef, the pickles, the lettuce and tomato and most importantly - the special sauce. An easy dinner for weeknights!

    Tips:

    • Be sure to dice the sweet potato into small (1cmx1cm) cubes, as they need more cooking time by far than any other item here.
    • The special sauce is better with pickles in it, it just doesn’t make for a particularly attractive sauce.
    • If you're not on paleo or whole30, you could add some shredded cheese on top of the casserole.
    • Regular potatoes can be used instead of sweet potatoes.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print

    Bic Mac Burger Casserole

    Whenever you’re craving a burger, this easy Whole30 Big Mac burger Casserole will do the trick! It has all the flavors we love about a burger. The ground beef, the pickles, the lettuce and tomato, and most importantly - the special sauce. An easy dinner for weeknights!  

    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Keyword big mac burger casserole, Burger casserole recipe, healthy burger casserole
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 351 kcal

    Ingredients

    Special sauce

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 2 tablespoons ketchup paleo approved
    • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
    • 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
    • 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish check notes - optional
    • 2 teaspoons onion powder
    • Pinch crushed red pepper
    • pinch salt

    Casserole

    • 2 medium sweet potatoes
    • 1 white onion
    • 1 green pepper
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • ¾ cup dill pickles about 3 large pickles
    • 2 big tomatoes
    • 1 lb lean ground beef / 500 g
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

    Toppings

    • Shredded iceberg lettuce
    • More diced white onion
    • More sesame seeds
    • Chopped tomatoes

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
    2. Peel and dice sweet potato into small cubes (1cmx1cm). Put them in a large casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
    3. Make the sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
    4. Dice your onion, bell peppers, pickles and tomatoes.
    5. Add diced onion and ground beef into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the onion is translucent and the beef is browned, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Add the spices during the last minute. Drain well to remove the excess fat, if any. Stir in about ½ cup of the special Sauce, leaving only some for decoration.
    6. Transfer the beef, onion and sauce mixture to the casserole dish with your pre-cooked sweet potato and all your other veggies. Add sesame seeds and mix to combine all of the ingredients. Spread in an even layer, cover with foil and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.
    7. Remove from the oven and top with your favorite burger toppings and additional Special Sauce.

    Recipe Notes

    • Be sure to dice the sweet potato into small (1cmx1cm) cubes, as they need more cooking time by far than any other item here.
    • The special sauce is better with pickles in it, it just doesn’t make for a particularly attractive sauce.
    • If you're no on paleo or whole30, you could add some shredded cheese on top of the casserole.
    • Regular potatoes can be used instead of sweet potatoes.
    Nutrition Facts
    Bic Mac Burger Casserole
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 351 Calories from Fat 171
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 19g29%
    Saturated Fat 4g25%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 55mg18%
    Sodium 694mg30%
    Potassium 776mg22%
    Carbohydrates 27g9%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 10g11%
    Protein 19g38%
    Vitamin A 11882IU238%
    Vitamin C 51mg62%
    Calcium 69mg7%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    If you tried this healthy Burger Casserole Recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

    More casserole dishes you will love:

    • Mexican Quinoa Casserole
    • Eggplant Ricotta Casserole
    • Quinoa Casserole with feta & sun-dried tomatoes
    « Tandoori Chicken Bowls (Dairy Free & Gluten Free)
    Black Bean Sweet Potato Nachos »
    217 shares
     

    Don't miss out on the good stuff!

    Sign up below to receive our weekly recipe digest. No spam, only the good stuff!

    Thank you for subscribing!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caroline

      April 16, 2021 at 3:46 am

      What a fun idea to get all those ideas you might be after in a healthier way, plus great if you don't have a grill, too.

      • Marie

        April 21, 2021 at 10:52 pm

        Thanks Caroline!

    2. Biana

      April 16, 2021 at 3:50 am

      Yum! This casserole looks delicious, and perfect for when you want a healthier burger.

      • Marie

        April 21, 2021 at 10:49 pm

        Thank you Biana!

    3. Sharon

      April 16, 2021 at 4:05 am

      You will not miss hitting up the drive-thru when you can make this healthy casserole right at home.

      • Marie

        April 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

        Definitely!

    4. Lindsay

      April 16, 2021 at 4:07 am

      This was so good! I made the potatoes on the side because my hubs is trying to eat low carb, and I mixed them in with my portion. I also added a little bit of shredded cheese like you suggested. So tasty, just like a loaded up burger.

      • Marie

        April 21, 2021 at 10:51 pm

        So glad to read you both loved it - and great idea to make the potatoes on the side! Thanks for sharing Lindsay! 🙂

    5. Jo

      April 16, 2021 at 5:02 am

      Cravings satisfied! The whole family loves this burger casserole!

      • Marie

        April 21, 2021 at 10:49 pm

        So happy to read it was a hit! Thanks Jo 🙂

    Primary Sidebar

    Footer

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Work with me
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy

    Recipes

    • Main Dishes
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Salads
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Healthy Desserts
    • View All Recipes

    ↑ back to top

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2012-2020 Not Enough Cinnamon. All rights reserved.