Description
Sloppy cheeseburger pasta delight merges classic American comfort food with creamy, hearty goodness. Meaty, cheesy, and utterly satisfying, you’ll savor each forkful of this easy weeknight dinner that brings pure culinary joy to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- Optional: turkey bacon bits
Optional Cheese Topping:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: additional cheese for topping
Base and Aromatics:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or macaroni)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauces and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) ketchup
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mustard
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped pickles
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta in a large pot of salted water, cooking until perfectly tender and al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside, allowing excess water to evaporate.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil and sauté diced onions until they become translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute to release its aromatic essence.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into fine crumbles while browning evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper, ensuring thorough cooking and draining any accumulated fat.
- Create a velvety cheese sauce by gently heating heavy cream in a separate saucepan. Gradually incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Combine the cooked pasta, seasoned beef, ketchup, and mustard in a large mixing bowl. Pour the luxurious cheese sauce over the ingredients, stirring to coat every morsel uniformly.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle an additional layer of cheese on top for extra indulgence.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown cheese crust and bubbling edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Allow the dish to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the flavors to settle and the sauce to slightly thicken.
- Garnish with optional turkey bacon bits or chopped pickles before serving, creating a tantalizing presentation of this comforting pasta delight.
Notes
- Ensure pasta stays perfectly al dente by cooking just until tender, avoiding mushy texture during final baking stage.
- Lower-fat alternatives work wonderfully: swap ground beef with ground turkey or lean ground chicken for healthier version.
- Customize cheese blend by mixing different varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or monterey jack for deeper flavor complexity.
- Make dish gluten-free by using chickpea or gluten-free pasta, maintaining creamy and delicious overall experience.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg