Easy Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet

Throw together this No-Fuss Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet whenever you're craving something hearty and quick. Combine your beef and noodles in a single pan with plenty of melty cheese. It's got all the flavors of your go-to burger but wrapped up in a rich pasta dish. It's just what you need when you're in a hurry but want something tasty.

Top Reasons To Try

Everything cooks in a single skillet so cleanup's a breeze. It's super fast when you're tired after work. Both little ones and adults will dig in happily. You can use whatever's hanging around in your pantry - it's pretty forgiving. Even your fussiest family members will probably ask for more. Makes your evening routine so much simpler.

Your Ingredients

• Chopped Onion: Diced into small pieces
• Lean Ground Beef: Avoid the really greasy stuff
• Garlic Powder: For easy seasoning
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens everything up
• Sweet Paprika: Brings nice flavor
• Beef Broth: Pick the reduced sodium version
• Milk: Full-fat works nicely
• Salt and Black Pepper: Add to your liking
• Spiral Rotini: Great for catching sauce
• Extra Sharp Cheddar: Gets wonderfully gooey

How To Make Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet

Brown Your Meat:

Cook up beef with onion and garlic powder until no pink remains. Pour off any excess grease.

Create Your Base:

Sprinkle flour and paprika over cooked meat. Mix well and let cook for about 2 minutes.

Pour In Your Liquids:

Add your broth and milk. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle in salt and pepper.

Add Your Pasta:

Once the liquid starts bubbling, drop in your pasta. Partially cover and simmer for 18 minutes until pasta softens.

Finish With Cheese:

Stir in your shredded cheese until completely melted. Throw some parsley on top if you feel fancy.

Perfect Feel-Good Dish

Just what you need when you're beat - hot and satisfying. The single-pan cooking saves you tons of hassle. The velvety cheese sauce gets into every bite. It's basically enjoying a tasty burger and pasta dinner all at once.

Getting The Flavor Right

Don't rush browning your beef - it builds better taste. Your onions get all nice and sweet with proper cooking. The flour-paprika combo creates richness in your sauce. When pasta cooks right in the broth, it soaks up all the goodness. Basic ingredients can make truly yummy food.

The Pasta Explained

Your noodles cook directly in the sauce so you won't need another pot. The twisty rotini grabs all the tasty bits in its spirals. As the pasta cooks, your sauce naturally thickens up. You'll get meat, cheese and sauce in every single forkful.

Choosing Your Cheese

A nice sharp cheddar really boosts the flavor. Always add your cheese last so it melts just right. Feel free to swap in different cheeses or mix a couple kinds. Adding extra on top makes everything even more delicious.

Delicious Variations

Sub in ground turkey if you want something a bit lighter. Need some heat? Toss in some crushed red pepper. Looking for extra nutrition? Throw in whatever veggies you've got. This stuff tastes great the next day too - just heat it slowly.

Helpful Shortcuts

Give it a stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Keep your heat gentle after adding the pasta. If things look too thick, splash in a bit more milk. Let everything rest a few minutes before you serve it. Goes really well with some buttery garlic bread.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Rather use turkey?

Works just as good. Bit less fat maybe. Season it more though. Cook it gentle like. Stays nice and moist.

→ Need it without wheat?

Get special pasta. Watch your spices too. Rice pasta works nice. Corn kind's good too. Cook time might change.

→ Want more veggies?

Peppers cook nice. Add some mushrooms. Squash works good too. Cut em all same size. Cook with the meat.

→ Can't have milk stuff?

Use plant milk instead. Fake cheese melts okay. Watch it don't break. Might need more salt. Still tastes good.

→ Keeping leftovers?

Box it up tight. Good three days cold. Heat slow and low. Add splash of milk. Stir while warming.

→ Getting too dry?

Keep some pasta water. Add bit more milk. Don't cook too long. Lid helps lots. More sauce works too.

→ Taking it places?

Keep it warm wrapped. Heat up there maybe. Bring extra cheese. Take some milk too. Pack it deep.

→ Need it faster?

Buy cut veggies. Use quick pasta. Have cheese ready. One pan does it. Clean as you go.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need bigger pan though. Watch pasta water. Might take longer. Stir more often.

→ Want more flavor?

Add more spices. Try some garlic. Hot sauce works. Even pickles help. Mix cheese kinds.

→ Pasta not cooking?

More water helps. Keep lid on tight. Stir now and then. Check heat's good. Might need more time.

→ Sauce too thin?

Cook bit longer. Less water next time. Add more cheese. Stir more often. Let it sit some.

Conclusion

Like this? Try burger bake next. Same good stuff plus bacon on top.