This incredible cheeseburger pasta combines two comfort food favorites into one amazing dish. It’s like your favorite drive-thru burger got fancy!
Imagine sinking your fork into creamy, cheesy goodness. Tender pasta is enveloped in a rich beefy sauce, all topped with your favorite burger fixings. It’s just too good!
Sometimes, the best recipes are born when you stop choosing between favorites and just combine them instead!
Who’s ready to give this fun mash-up a try?
Why You’ll Love This Cheeseburger Pasta
Comfort Food Classic: This dish combines the beloved elements of a cheeseburger with pasta. It’s a warm and satisfying meal that evokes nostalgia and comfort.
Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and cooking time, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights. It comes together in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
Customizable: The optional toppings allow you to personalize each serving. You can tailor the dish to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
Savory Satisfaction: Each bite offers a rich, cheesy goodness with savory notes of beef. It’s a delicious take on classic flavors and will leave you craving more.
Ingredients
- Ground Beef: It forms the hearty base of the dish. 85% lean provides ideal flavor while preventing excess grease.
- Onion and Garlic: They add essential aromatic flavors and create a savory foundation. Fresh minced garlic provides more punch than pre-minced.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings enhance all other flavors in the dish.
- Beef Broth: It creates a rich, savory sauce base. Provides liquid for cooking pasta directly in the pan.
- Diced Tomatoes: They add moisture, acidity, and chunks of texture. The juice contributes to the sauce’s body.
- Uncooked Pasta: Small shapes like rotini or shells capture the sauce best.
- Cheddar Cheese: It provides classic cheeseburger flavor and creamy texture. Mix with mozzarella for extra stretch.
- Milk or Heavy Cream: It creates silky smoothness in the sauce. Heavy cream produces a richer result than milk.
- Ketchup, Yellow Mustard, and Worcestershire Sauce: This trio mimics classic burger condiments to add tanginess and depth of flavor.
- Optional Toppings: Try chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, green onions, shredded lettuce, or crumbled bacon.
How to Make Cheeseburger Pasta
Since this pasta is made in one pot, it’s super easy to whip up!
1. Brown the beef. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Break it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain the excess fat if needed.
2. Add the onion and garlic. Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Season and flavor. Season with salt and pepper, then add ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to coat the beef mixture evenly.
4. Add the liquids and pasta. Pour in the beef broth and canned tomatoes (with their juices). Stir to combine. Add the uncooked pasta and stir everything together.
5. Simmer until the pasta is cooked. Cover the skillet or pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Add the milk and cheese. Once the pasta is cooked, pour in the milk or heavy cream and add the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.
7. Garnish and serve. Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings. Try chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, green onions, shredded lettuce, or crumbled bacon for a true cheeseburger experience.
Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Pasta
For an irresistible pasta, follow these simple tips.
- Quality is key. Use 85% lean ground beef for the best flavor and texture. This fat content provides enough richness without being overly greasy.
- Pick the perfect pasta. Opt for small pasta shapes like rotini or shells. They hold sauce well and mimic the cheeseburger experience.
- Be generous! Don’t skimp on salt and pepper. Proper seasoning enhances the overall taste of the pasta.
- Use the best broth. Use beef broth for a richer flavor or chicken broth for a milder taste.
- Make it extra creamy. For an extra creamy sauce, mix cheddar with mozzarella cheese. This combination melts beautifully.
- Thin it out. If the sauce becomes too thick, add more milk or broth gradually until you reach your desired creaminess.
How to Store
Enjoy leftover pasta again by following these storage steps.
To Store: Allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an air-tight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I wouldn’t freeze this recipe since the sauce consistency will change.
To Reheat: Reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce as needed. You can also microwave it in a covered bowl, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Cheeseburger Pasta
6
servings10
minutes25
minutes398
kcalThis one-post cheeseburger pasta is comfort food at its best! With ground beef, tender rotini, and plenty of cheese, it’s a dream come true!
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (85% lean is ideal)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth for a milder taste)
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups uncooked pasta (small pasta like rotini or shells works best)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for extra creaminess)
½ cup milk or heavy cream
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Optional toppings: chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, green onions, shredded lettuce, or crumbled bacon
Instructions
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain the excess fat if needed.
- Add the diced onion and garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Season with salt and pepper, then add ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to coat the beef mixture evenly.
- Pour in the beef broth and canned tomatoes (with their juices). Stir to combine. Add the uncooked pasta and stir everything together.
- Cover the skillet or pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the pasta is cooked, pour in the milk or heavy cream and add the shredded cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve hot, garnished with your favorite toppings like chopped pickles, diced tomatoes, green onions, shredded lettuce, or crumbled bacon for a true cheeseburger experience.