Budget-Friendly Cheeseburger Pasta Bake (Printable Version)
Comforting baked pasta with ground beef, cheddar, and classic cheeseburger flavors. Family-friendly, easy, and budget-wise.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 ounces elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
→ Meats
02 - 1 pound lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium tomato, diced (optional)
06 - 1/2 cup dill pickles, chopped (optional)
→ Sauces & Dairy
07 - 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
09 - 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
10 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
11 - 1/2 cup milk
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
→ Optional Toppings
16 - 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
17 - Additional pickles or fresh tomatoes, for garnish
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
04 - Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until onions are softened.
05 - Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and dried oregano. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
06 - Fold in diced tomato and chopped pickles if using. Mix to combine and remove from heat.
07 - Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to combine.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Pour milk evenly over the top.
09 - Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
10 - Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with sliced green onions, additional pickles, or fresh tomatoes if desired. Serve warm.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Easy on the wallet
- Crowd pleasing flavors for kids and adults
- Uses basic pantry items you likely have on hand
- Can be prepped ahead for busy weeks
02 -
- Great for freezing and reheating
- Kids often ask for seconds
- Can be lightened up with turkey or veggies
03 -
- Shred your own cheese for a smoother melt The bagged stuff will work in a pinch but nothing beats the real deal
- Make sure to let the pasta sit in the sauce a couple of minutes before baking so it soaks up all the cheeseburger flavors
- If you add pickles use ones from the refrigerated section for maximum crunch they taste fresher and hold up better in the bake