Description
Hearty homemade cheeseburger pasta brings classic American comfort straight to your dinner table. Creamy, cheesy goodness combines ground beef and pasta in one satisfying skillet meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) lean ground beef (80/20)
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) tomato sauce
Seasoning and Dry Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces (226 grams) medium pasta (shells or large elbows)
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumbling the meat with a wooden spoon until no pink remains.
- Eliminate excess grease by draining the meat thoroughly.
- Pour beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, onion powder, chili powder, and salt into the skillet, mixing with the cooked beef.
- Elevate the temperature and bring the liquid mixture to a vigorous boil.
- Introduce pasta to the skillet, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low, allowing the contents to simmer.
- Stir the pasta periodically during the 10-minute cooking process to prevent sticking.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking for an additional 2-4 minutes, ensuring pasta reaches desired tenderness.
- If the mixture appears dry, incorporate a small amount of additional liquid to maintain moisture.
- Transfer the skillet off the heat and let the pasta rest uncovered for 5 minutes to absorb remaining liquid.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the hot pasta, stirring gently until the cheese melts completely.
- Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier dish.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or Mexican blend for unique flavor profiles.
- For gluten-free option, swap regular pasta with chickpea or lentil pasta to maintain protein content.
- Add diced bell peppers or spinach during cooking to boost vegetable intake and nutrition without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg