Description
Cheeseburger Pasta is a comforting and hearty baked pasta dish that combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with the convenience of a one-dish meal. Featuring elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheddar cheese, this recipe is perfect for a family-friendly dinner that takes about an hour to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Pasta & Meat
- 3 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup chopped onion
Sauce
- 3 cups water
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
Toppings
- 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (divided)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- ⅓ cup chopped dill pickles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place the rack in the middle position. Lightly spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with vegetable oil spray to prevent sticking. Spread the elbow macaroni evenly in the baking dish. Crumble the lean ground beef into ½-inch pieces over the macaroni, then sprinkle the chopped onion on top. Season everything with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix sauce and combine: In a bowl, whisk together 3 cups of water, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, brown sugar, garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¾ teaspoon pepper until well blended. Pour this mixture evenly over the macaroni, beef, and onions in the baking dish. Gently stir to combine all ingredients, being careful not to break up the beef too much. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered: Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. This allows the pasta to cook in the flavorful sauce and the beef to cook through.
- Stir and add toppings: Remove the dish from the oven and carefully stir the macaroni mixture thoroughly, scraping the sides and bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking. Add most of the crumbled cooked bacon into the pasta mixture, reserving some for topping. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the macaroni, then sprinkle the remaining bacon over the cheese. Return the dish to the oven uncovered.
- Bake uncovered to finish: Continue baking the dish, uncovered, for an additional 5 to 8 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the cheese has fully melted.
- Cool and serve: Remove the baked pasta from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving to allow it to set and to avoid burns. Optionally, garnish with chopped dill pickles for a tangy crunch.
Notes
- Using lean ground beef minimizes excess grease and keeps the dish balanced.
- Cooking bacon ahead of time and crumbling it saves time during assembly.
- If you prefer, substitute pickles with jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Be careful when stirring the hot dish to avoid burning yourself.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
