Cozy Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet (Print)

Comforting skillet pasta blended with classic cheeseburger flavors and topped with zesty pickle relish crunch.

# Ingredients:

→ Meat

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef

→ Pasta

02 - 10 ounces short pasta (e.g., fusilli, shells, rotini)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium tomato, diced
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)

→ Sauce and Flavor

07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
13 - 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

→ Dairy

14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1/4 cup whole milk

→ Pickle Relish Crunch Topping

16 - 1/3 cup dill pickle relish
17 - 1/3 cup crispy fried onions
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# Instructions:

01 - Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef; cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add tomato paste, diced tomato, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring thoroughly to combine.
05 - Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. If using, stir in the frozen peas. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
06 - Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked pasta, shredded cheddar cheese, and whole milk to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and a creamy sauce coats the pasta.
07 - Taste the mixture and adjust the salt and pepper as needed to achieve the desired flavor profile.
08 - In a small separate bowl, combine the dill pickle relish, crispy fried onions, and chopped fresh parsley to create the crunchy topping.
09 - Spoon the skillet pasta into individual serving bowls and generously top each portion with the prepared pickle relish crunch.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients most families already have
  • One pan cleanup makes weeknight cooking easier
  • Kid approved but sophisticated enough for adults
02 -
  • Family friendly recipe that pleases picky eaters and adults alike
  • Can be doubled easily for larger gatherings or meal prep
  • Perfect comfort food for cold weather or busy weeknights
03 -
  • Always cook the pasta just to al dente as it will continue cooking slightly when added to the hot sauce. This prevents mushy pasta in your final dish.
  • Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency if needed. The starchy water helps create a silky texture that store-bought broth alone cannot achieve.
  • Prepare the pickle relish crunch just before serving to maintain maximum texture contrast and prevent the crispy onions from becoming soggy.
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