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A close-up shot of a white bowl filled with Cheesy Beef and Macaroni, featuring spiral pasta, ground beef, and melted cheese.

Classic Cheeseburger Skillet Pasta

This creamy and savory skillet pasta brings all the beloved flavors of a classic cheeseburger into a comforting, easy-to-make dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Base
  • 1.5 lbs Ground Beef 80/20 lean
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 4 cups Beef Broth low sodium
  • 1 can Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 12 oz Elbow Macaroni uncooked, or similar small pasta
  • 1/4 cup Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Yellow Mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper or to taste
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 1 cup Whole Milk
  • 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese sharp or medium
  • 4 slices American Cheese Slices torn
For Garnish/Serving
  • 1/4 cup Dill Pickle Relish or chopped dill pickles
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped (optional)

Equipment

  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta Base
  1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes (undrained), uncooked elbow macaroni, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Finish with Cheese
  1. While the pasta simmers, in a separate small bowl, whisk together the whole milk and all-purpose flour until smooth. This creates a slurry.
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Pour the milk-flour slurry into the pasta mixture. Stir well.
  3. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and torn American cheese slices to the skillet. Stir continuously until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth.
Serve
  1. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Ladle the Classic Cheeseburger Skillet Pasta into bowls. Garnish generously with dill pickle relish (or chopped pickles) and fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. Feel free to add other burger toppings like crispy bacon bits or sliced jalapeƱos. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.