Cheeseburger Pasta Is One-Pot Magic

Cheeseburger pasta is full of nostalgic flavor, and still quick enough to make for a weeknight. Our hearty take on this classic meal comes together in just one pan—no need to boil water separately for the pasta.

Learn how to make cheeseburger pasta. It's very nearly a one-dish meal, so it'll be a favorite for the cook and the people around the table.

Cheeseburger Pasta Ingredients

This pasta has several ingredients, but most are pantry staples.

• Olive oil: For sautéing the vegetables. You can use another high-heat oil, including vegetable oil or canola oil.
• Onion and garlic: Key flavor-builders for this pasta.
• Seasonings and condiments: Seasoned salt, pepper, smoked paprika, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, mustard add great umami and smoky flavor, much like you expect from a cheeseburger.
• Ground chuck: It wouldn't be cheeseburger pasta without the meat. We like ground chuck, but you can go leaner with a ground sirloin.
• Liquids: Beef broth, water, diced tomatoes, half and half add flavor and creaminess.
• All-purpose flour: For thickening the sauce so you get a rich mouthfeel.
• Cavatappi pasta: We like the shape and size of this pasta, but you can use any tubular pasta that's a similar size, like penne or rigatoni.
• Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese: The other namesake ingredient in Cheeseburger Pasta. Swap for a milk or sharp if you don't like the tang of extra-sharp cheese.
• Scallions: Fresh scallions give a satisfying fresh flavor when sprinkled on top of the pasta.

How To Make Cheeseburger Pasta

This cheeseburger pasta is great for many reasons, and the fact it's made in one-pot is top of the list. Here's a brief outline of the process; get the full recipe below.

• Step 1: Cook the onions and garlic with the dry seasonings until tender. Warming the spices with the aromatics will help them to bloom and develop more flavor.
• Step 2: Add the ground chuck, and cook until meat is browned and crumbly. Then sprinkle with the flour and cook 1 minute, coating the meat in the flour.
• Step 3: Stir in diced tomatoes, beef broth, water, and Worcestershire sauce. Then add pasta, cover, and cook until tender.
• Step 4: While the pasta cooks, slice the scallions. Keep the dark green parts separate for topping the pasta.
• Step 5: Once the pasta is tender, add half-and-half, cheese, chili sauce, mustard and the white and light green parts of the scallions. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the dark green parts of the scallions.

Our Tips for the Best Cheeseburger Pasta

This recipe is incredibly easy to make, but there are a few secrets that will make your pasta even better:

• Use a skillet with high sides that can accommodate all of the ingredients.
• Keep the pasta cooking at a simmer (not a full boil), and stir occasionally to keep the pasta from sticking together.
• If the pasta is getting a little dry towards the end of the cooking time and isn’t tender yet, add a little water (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) and keep simmering until it’s ready.
• Shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese won't melt as smoothly in the sauce.

Cheeseburger Pasta Topping Ideas

For some fun variations, try adding your favorite burger toppings to the pasta. A few of our favorites:

• Cooked and crumbled bacon
• Chopped pickles
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Sliced pickled jalapeño peppers

Some of Our Favorite One-Pot Pasta Recipes:

If you like the simplicity of dinners that require just one pan, good news. We have several more of these dinners:

• One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
• French Onion Pasta
• Ravioli Lasagna
• One-Pot Pasta