Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta
Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta combines the nostalgic flavors of sloppy joes and cheeseburgers into a creamy, cheesy pasta dish. Featuring juicy ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, melted sharp cheddar, and tender elbow macaroni, this comforting and hearty meal is perfect for quick weeknight dinners and family-friendly occasions.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Family Friendly
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauces and Dairy
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
Pasta and Seasonings
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook until the onion is translucent and fragrant, forming the flavor base.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Make It Cheesy: Add the shredded cheddar cheese and milk or cream to the sauce. Stir gently until the cheese melts smoothly and the sauce becomes creamy, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired thickness.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the cheesy sloppy joe sauce, making sure every piece is thoroughly coated.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and onions to enhance the flavor layers.
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture works best for mixing with the sauce.
- Choose sharp cheddar cheese for the best melting quality and rich flavor.
- Keep reserved pasta water handy to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Adjust seasoning throughout cooking to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: cheesy pasta, sloppy joe pasta, ground beef pasta, family dinner, comfort food, cheesy sloppy joe