Description

A quick and comforting creamy cheeseburger pasta dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a silky cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces (340g) pasta (elbow macaroni or penne)
1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley or chives, crispy bacon bits

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound (450g) ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Lower heat to medium. Stir in chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until onion is translucent and soft, stirring often.
Reduce heat to low. Add 4 ounces (115g) softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir gently until melted and coats the beef evenly. Slowly pour in ½ cup (120ml) milk while stirring to create a smooth sauce base.
Stir in 1 cup (100g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Mix until cheese melts and sauce is creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
Add drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat pasta with the sauce.
Cook for another 1–2 minutes on low heat to marry flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or chives and crispy bacon bits if desired.

Notes

Keep heat low when melting cream cheese to avoid grainy sauce. Drain excess beef fat to prevent oily sauce. Add reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Adjust seasoning to taste. Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Gluten-free pasta options work well.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
Calories: 550
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 600
Fat: 25
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 3
Protein: 30

Keywords: cheeseburger pasta, creamy pasta, ground beef pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe