Easy Cheesy Cheeseburger Pasta (Print version)

A one-pot cheeseburger pasta with tender macaroni, browned beef, mustard, tomato paste, and a creamy cheddar sauce.

# Ingredients:

For the pasta skillet

01 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, 85 percent lean

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced

03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

04 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

05 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard

06 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

08 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

09 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

10 - 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth

11 - 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk

12 - 8 oz (225 g) elbow macaroni, uncooked

For finishing

13 - 1 1/2 cups (170 g) freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese

14 - 1/2 cup (55 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

15 - 1/4 cup chopped dill pickles, optional

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.

02 - Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

03 - Stir in the tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring often, until the tomato paste darkens slightly.

04 - Pour in the beef broth and milk, then stir in the uncooked macaroni. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10-13 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is just tender.

05 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack a handful at a time until melted and creamy. Add a splash of milk if the sauce is too thick.

06 - Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with chopped dill pickles and parsley on top, if using.

# Good to know:

01 - Best served right after the cheese melts while the sauce is glossy.

02 - Add 2-4 tablespoons milk or broth if the sauce thickens before serving.

03 - Ground beef should reach 160°F for safe serving.

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