This cheeseburger pasta recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Juicy minced beef, creamy melted cheeses, and tender pasta are all enveloped in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that promises to satisfy.
If you love this easy pasta recipe, then you'll also love my creamy roasted tomato pasta, this mascarpone tomato pasta or this easy halloumi pasta. Or, check out my collection of the 10 best pasta recipes.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Full of flavour: Combines sweet cherry tomatoes with rich, hearty beef and a blend of cheeses for a comforting, easy, budget-friendly dinner recipe.
- Versatility in ingredients: Offers flexibility in pasta choice and cheese, making it easy to customise based on what's in your pantry.
- Easy and quick: Designed for a simple, straightforward cooking process perfect for busy weeknights.
🧾 Ingredients overview
- Minced beef (ground beef): Adds depth and meatiness, forming the base of the dish.
- Macaroni/ penne: The vehicle for the sauce, perfect for soaking up flavour.
- Onion and garlic: Infuse the sauce with aromatic layers of flavour.
- Paprika: Gives a subtle warmth and complexity to the sauce.
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and tangy, they break down to create a vibrant sauce.
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and enriches the sauce's flavour.
- Cheddar and mozzarella: Combine for a creamy, cheesy texture and rich taste.
- Parsley: Freshens up the dish with a burst of colour and flavour.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Cheeseburger pasta recipe step-by-step
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add minced beef and season with salt and pepper, cooking until no pink remains.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta per package instructions until al dente.
- Add Aromatics: Add onion and garlic to the beef, sautéing until soft. Then mix in the cherry tomatoes. *If you prefer, you can use a tin of chopped tomatoes instead.
- Create the Sauce: Add chicken stock and paprika, simmering to thicken after the tomatoes burst. To make the chicken stock, dissolve a stock cube in boiling water.
- Combine: Stir in cheddar cheese until you achieve a smooth sauce. Toss the pasta in this sauce, ensuring it's well coated.
- Finish with Cheese and Parsley: Sprinkle chopped parsley, then add shredded mozzarella, stirring until everything is combined.
📖 Variations
- Tomatoes: Crushed or chopped tomatoes can replace cherry tomatoes.
- Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses for varied flavours; provolone or Gouda can add interesting twists.
- Pasta: Gluten-free pasta can be used for a gluten-free version of the dish.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing on a decade of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, I have compiled my top tips for recipe success.
- Cheese sauce: Add the cheddar gradually, stirring constantly on low heat until melted for a smoother cheese sauce.
- Pasta doneness: Cook pasta to just under al dente as it will continue to cook slightly when tossed with the hot sauce.
- Cheese Choices: While cheddar and mozzarella are recommended for their meltiness and flavour, don't hesitate to experiment with other cheeses. Parmesan can add a nutty depth, or smoked cheese can introduce a hint of smokiness.
- Herb Variations: While parsley offers a fresh finish, try basil for a sweet, aromatic twist. Add fresh herbs just before serving to preserve their vibrant colour and flavour.
🍯 Storing and reheating leftovers
- Fridge: Cool and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce as needed.
❓Recipe FAQs
Yes, but broth adds more flavour.
Absolutely, substitute beef with a plant-based mince and use vegetable broth.
Yes, assemble up to adding the cheese, then reheat and add cheese when ready to serve.
If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth or some reserved pasta water to thin it out to your liking. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce, or add a small amount of tomato paste to thicken it.
More easy, comforting pasta recipes:
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Easy Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb) minced (ground) beef
- 300 g (2 ¾ cups) macaroni, penne, or similar short pasta
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 400 g (14 oz) tin cherry tomatoes, or chopped tomatoes
- 150 ml (½ cup) chicken broth, prepared from a stock cube
- 175 g (1 ½ cups) cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ bunch parsley, chopped
- 100 g (1 cup) mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced beef, seasoning well with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: To the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in the cherry tomatoes (or chopped tomatoes if using). Continue to cook until the tomatoes start to burst and release their juices, mixing well with the beef.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and sprinkle in the paprika. Stir to combine. Let the mixture come to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5-7 minutes. To make the chicken stock, dissolve one chicken stock cube in 150ml of boiling water.
- Combine with Cheese: Lower the heat and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing well to ensure each noodle is coated in the sauce.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the pasta, then add the shredded mozzarella. Stir until the mozzarella is just melted and mixed throughout the dish.
Notes
- Cheese Melting Tip: Add the cheddar cheese slowly and stir continuously to avoid the sauce becoming grainy. The residual heat after lowering the flame should be enough to melt the cheese into a smooth sauce.
- Pasta Cooking Tip: To avoid overcooked pasta, aim for al dente. When mixed in, it will continue to absorb the sauce's flavours and moisture.
- Sauce Consistency: If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cheese, a splash of pasta water can help adjust it to your liking. Pasta water is starchy and can help the sauce cling to the pasta better.
- Serving Suggestion: This dish is best served hot, straight from the stove. If you like a crispy top, you can sprinkle extra cheese on top and place the skillet under a broiler for a few minutes until golden and bubbly.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs, a Cordon Bleu-trained chef dedicated to helping you create unforgettable meals on a budget. Discover more about my journey and dive into a world of foolproof recipes designed for those who love to eat well without overspending.
Chris
Love this pasta. So do my kids!
Andrew
I just had to comment, tried this recipe and it's out of this world nice, been doing your Aldi recipes and it has been saving us so much money on dinners, really helpful with the way things are now, please keep up the work, your doing a great thing here.
Deborah Rainford
Thank you so much for such kind words! It means the world to me that people are liking the recipes and finding the website helpful! And thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating. It's much appreciated! 🙂
June
This pasta is incredible! I absolutely love this one. Cheesy, beefy and so easy to make.