This cheeseburger skillet is a quick, comforting, and hearty dish that combines the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with creamy pasta. It’s packed with ground beef, onions, garlic, and a rich tomato and cheese sauce, making it a filling and satisfying meal for the whole family.
Ingredients
Servings: 4-6 portions
Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
Tomato Sauce: 350 g (12.3 oz)
Milk: 170 ml (¾ cup)
Sugar: 1 tsp (optional)
Macaroni: 450 g (1 lb)
Ground Beef: 500 g (1.1 lb)
Onion: 1, chopped
Grated Cheddar Cheese: 200 g (7 oz)
Olive Oil: 2 tbsp (30 ml)
Salt: 1 tsp (5 g)
Pepper: Pinch
Chopped Parsley: 2 tbsp (10 g), for garnish
Preparation
Step 1: Cook the Macaroni
Begin by cooking the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water. Let the pasta cook for 8-10 minutes, or until it reaches an al dente texture. Drain the pasta, set it aside, and prepare the rest of the dish while the macaroni rests.
Step 2: Brown the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula as it cooks. Cook the beef until it is browned, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Once the beef is almost done, any excess fat can be drained off.
Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic
Once the beef is mostly cooked, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the mixture for an additional 2 minutes until the onions become soft and the garlic releases its fragrance. Stir occasionally to ensure everything cooks evenly.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Add the tomato sauce, milk, salt, pepper, and optional sugar to the skillet. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together. The sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomato sauce but can be omitted based on preference.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Once the sauce has simmered, fold the cooked macaroni into the skillet. Mix thoroughly so that the macaroni is well-coated with the rich sauce. Next, add the grated cheddar cheese a little at a time, stirring after each addition until the cheese melts completely into the dish. This will give the skillet its creamy, cheesy consistency.
Step 6: Serve
Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the dish with chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the cheeseburger skillet hot, and enjoy the delicious combination of pasta, beef, and melted cheddar.
Nutritional Information (per portion, approximate)
Calories: 590 kcal
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Protein: 32 g
Fat: 28 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sodium: 780 mg
This cheeseburger skillet is the perfect one-pan meal for busy nights. It’s quick to prepare, incredibly filling, and combines the best parts of a cheeseburger into a comforting pasta dish that the whole family will love.