Are you ready for a true weeknight game-changer? This Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta is exactly what it sounds like: all the craveable, savory, cheesy goodness of a classic cheeseburger combined with comforting, one-pot pasta magic. It’s rich, it’s hearty, and it’s unbelievably simple to toss together in one skillet. Trust me when I say this is the ultimate, spoon-licking, feel-good family dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Wonder: Say goodbye to endless dishes! Everything—from browning the beef to cooking the pasta—happens right in one glorious skillet. That’s a win for cleanup!
The Ultimate Comfort Fusion: This dish expertly marries the nostalgia of a sloppy joe or cheeseburger with the warmth of a rich, creamy baked pasta. It truly hits every comfort food craving.
Ready in 35 Minutes: Seriously! When those hungry faces hit the kitchen, you can have a big bowl of cheesy, savory perfection ready in under an hour. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights.
Kid-Friendly Champion: Who doesn’t love cheeseburgers and pasta? This recipe is a guaranteed hit with even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

Ready to dive in? This recipe requires simple, everyday pantry staples, but the flavor payoff is absolutely unreal. Gather up these goodies, and let’s get cooking:

Olive Oil: This is your essential starter, helping to soften the veggies and create the flavor foundation.
Onion: Dicing up a large onion brings a crucial savory sweetness to the ground beef base—you won’t skip this one!
Garlic: Three whole cloves? Yes, please! Freshly minced garlic adds that aromatic, pungent depth we all love in comfort food.
Ground Beef: The star protein! Choose lean ground beef for a heartier, classic cheeseburger texture.
Paprika, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder: This trifecta of spices is the key to creating that signature “cheeseburger seasoning” flavor.
Tomato Paste: A little secret ingredient! Cooking this down for a minute concentrates the tomato flavor and adds a beautiful depth of richness (called umami).
Tomato Sauce: Forms the body of your sauce, offering that classic tang and moisture.
Beef or Vegetable Broth: We need this liquid gold to cook the pasta and transform your sauce from thick to perfectly velvety.
Uncooked Pasta: Elbows, shells, or rotini—use your favorite short shape! They are perfect for grabbing and holding onto all that rich, sloppy sauce.
Cheddar Cheese: The essential cheeseburger cheese! Shredded cheddar brings that sharp, delicious tang and incredible melt factor.
Mozzarella Cheese: We add a little mozzarella for an extra-gooey, stringy, wonderful melt. It’s the perfect creamy complement to the cheddar.
Cream Cheese: This is the secret weapon for the sauce! Just a couple of tablespoons melts right in, giving the whole dish an impossibly rich and creamy texture without needing heavy cream.
Salt and Pepper: Don’t forget to season as you cook! These enhance every single flavor in the pot.
Mustard: Wait, mustard in pasta? YES! Just a teaspoon adds that distinct, tangy, authentic cheeseburger note that brings the entire flavor profile home.
Fresh Parsley: For a beautiful, fresh pop of color and a little herby finish right before serving.

Note: The exact measurements for all these incredible ingredients are listed right below the article in the recipe card!

How to Make the Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta

This dish is seriously so simple, it feels almost unfair to call it cooking! Just follow these easy steps and watch the magic happen in one pot.

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base

Grab your biggest skillet and heat up the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until they start to soften and turn clear. Now, stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for just one minute until it smells amazing—don’t let it burn!

Step 2: Brown the Beef and Season

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until it’s beautifully browned, using your spoon to break it up into nice, sloppy, meaty crumbles. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat. Now, sprinkle in the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and stir it all really well to coat the beef in flavor.

Step 3: Deepen the Sauce

Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for just a minute. This quick cook time helps to toast the paste and makes the tomato flavor so much richer and deeper—trust me, this step is key!

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Pour in the tomato sauce and the broth. Stir in your uncooked pasta. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer. Cook for about 12–15 minutes, making sure to give it a good stir every few minutes so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom. Cook until the pasta is tender (al dente).

Step 5: Get Wildly Cheesy!

The best part! Take the skillet off the heat. Stir in the mustard, the cream cheese, the cheddar, and the mozzarella. Stir, stir, stir! The heat from the pasta and sauce will melt everything into a perfectly rich, velvety, cheesy blanket of goodness.

Step 6: Serve It Up

Give the sauce a taste and add any extra salt or pepper if it needs a little lift. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley, grab a big spoon, and serve this spectacular cheesy pasta immediately while it’s warm and gooey!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip the Simmer Stir: Because you are cooking the pasta directly in the sauce, the starch can sometimes stick to the bottom. Make sure to stir it every 3–4 minutes during the simmer phase to prevent sticking.
Use Quality Broth: Since the broth is the liquid that flavors the pasta, using a high-quality beef (or vegetable) broth will make a big difference in the final taste!
Freshly Shredded Cheese is Best: Pre-shredded cheese often has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly. Taking 5 minutes to shred your own cheddar and mozzarella will give you the smoothest, richest sauce possible.
Check Pasta Tenderness: After about 12 minutes, pull out a piece of pasta to taste. If it’s still too firm, add a splash more broth and cook for a few more minutes until it’s just right.

How to Serve

This Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta is a meal all by itself, but you can definitely elevate the experience with a few awesome pairings!

The Classic Cheeseburger Toppings: Set out bowls of crunchy dill pickle chips, sliced tomatoes, and shredded lettuce and let everyone add a garnish to their bowl!
A Simple Green Side: Pair the richness of the pasta with a light, crisp side salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
Garlic Bread! A thick slice of cheesy garlic bread on the side for ultimate carb-on-carb comfort. Can you even have pasta without it? I think not!

Make Ahead and Storage

This dish is great for making ahead, and trust me, the leftovers are just as delicious the next day!

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover pasta in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

While possible, the dairy in this dish (especially the cream cheese and mozzarella) can sometimes separate slightly when frozen and thawed. If you must freeze it, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it cools. To reheat, place a serving in a microwave-safe bowl and add a tablespoon or two of milk or broth before heating. This will help rehydrate the sauce and bring back that creamy texture. You can also reheat it slowly on the stovetop, adding liquid as needed.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of ground meat? Absolutely! This recipe works perfectly well with ground turkey or ground chicken if you are looking for a lighter option. If you use poultry, you might want to add a little extra beef or chicken bouillon powder to boost that savory, hearty flavor usually provided by the ground beef.
How can I make this dish spicier or tangier? If you love a little kick, try adding a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the seasonings. For extra tang, which mimics the flavor of a classic cheeseburger condiment, add a splash of pickle juice or a little more mustard right before serving!
What is the best type of pasta to use for this recipe? You want a small, sturdy pasta shape that can really grab hold of the thick, sloppy sauce. Elbow macaroni is classic, but small shells, rotini, or even penne will work beautifully. Just make sure the pasta you choose is uncooked when you add it to the skillet!
I don’t have cream cheese. Can I leave it out? You can omit the cream cheese, but it is highly recommended! It’s the ingredient that gives the sauce that luxurious, silky, restaurant-quality creaminess. If you must leave it out, you can substitute a splash of heavy cream, but the cream cheese provides a unique richness and thickness that’s hard to beat!