Cheeseburger Pasta in 15 Minutes

Cheeseburger Pasta in 15 Minutes

Cheeseburger pasta: Master this quick one-pot dinner ready in 15 minutes. Savory beef, melted cheddar, and tangy relish create a satisfying meal. Serve hot.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 yellow onion
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 lb pasta shells, uncooked
• 4 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp hot dog relish
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Instructions

 

• Finely dice the onion. Add the onion, olive oil, and ground beef to a large deep skillet and sauté over medium heat until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft and translucent.
• Drain off any excess fat, if needed. Add the flour to the skillet and continue to stir and cook for one minute more.
• Add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the skillet and stir to dissolve the flour off the bottom of the skillet.
• Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and let the liquid come up to a boil.
• Once it reaches a boil, give it a quick stir to loosen any pasta from the bottom of the skillet, replace the lid, and turn the heat down to low.
• Let the pasta simmer, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
• Turn the heat off and add the shredded cheddar to the skillet, stirring until it has melted into the sauce.
• Stir the hot dog relish into the sauce and then top with sliced green onions. Serve hot.

Notes

– Drain excess fat from the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy sauce.
– Don’t skip toasting the flour for a minute; this removes the raw taste and helps thicken the sauce properly.
– Stir the pasta occasionally during simmering to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom.
– For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of milk or heavy cream along with the cheese.

Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Keyword cheeseburger pasta

The technique that makes it

The key to achieving the perfect cheeseburger pasta lies in the proper balance of cooking techniques and ingredient interactions. When sautéing the yellow onion in olive oil, you’re developing the base flavor through the Maillard reaction, which caramelizes the sugars in the onion, enhancing the overall taste. The ground beef should be browned thoroughly to create a rich depth of flavor, as this is where the umami comes from. Adding flour helps to thicken the sauce by creating a roux, which binds the liquid ingredients together, ensuring a creamy texture once the cheese is incorporated. Maintaining a steady simmer when adding the beef broth and tomato sauce allows the pasta to cook evenly while absorbing flavors. Lastly, the melting of the cheddar cheese at the end not only enriches the dish but also creates a creamy emulsion that coats the pasta beautifully.

Troubleshooting

• Problem: Pasta is undercooked.
  Fix: Ensure that you are using enough liquid and that the pasta is added to a rolling boil. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Problem: Sauce is too thin.
  Fix: Allow the sauce to simmer longer to reduce and thicken or add an extra tablespoon of flour mixed with a bit of water to create a slurry.
• Problem: Dish lacks flavor.
  Fix: Make sure to season with salt and pepper during the cooking process. Consider adding garlic or Worcestershire sauce for additional depth.
• Problem: Cheese clumps instead of melting smoothly.
  Fix: Make sure to remove the pot from heat before adding cheese, and stir quickly to create a smooth emulsion.

Substitutions

• Ground beef: Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option that still provides good flavor.
• Cheddar cheese: Substitute with Monterey Jack or Gouda for a different flavor profile while maintaining creaminess.
• Hot dog relish: Swap with sweet pickle relish or diced pickles for a similar tangy flavor.
• Beef broth: Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version without compromising the dish’s integrity.

Pro tips

• Drain excess fat from the ground beef thoroughly to prevent a greasy sauce.
• Don’t skip toasting the flour for a minute; this removes the raw taste and helps thicken the sauce properly.
• Stir the pasta occasionally during simmering to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom.
• For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of milk or heavy cream along with the cheese.

Enjoy this incredibly easy and delicious one-pot cheeseburger pasta – a guaranteed weeknight win!

Frequently asked questions

More from Easy Pasta Recipes →