Indulgent Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe

The Messiest, Most Divine Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe

Comfort food reaches new heights with this mouthwatering sloppy cheeseburger pasta that blends classic burger flavors into a hearty one-pot meal.

Melted cheese cascades over seasoned ground beef, creating a delectable fusion of familiar tastes.

Weeknight dinners never looked so delicious and satisfying.

Each forkful promises a burst of savory goodness that’ll have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with bold flavors that kids and adults will devour.

Packed with protein and loaded with cheesy goodness, this pasta dish transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe and watch it become an instant family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 3

Everything You Crave In Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta

For Pasta And Base:
  • Pasta: Select medium-sized pasta like rotini or penne that holds sauce well and provides delightful texture.
  • Ground Beef: Choose lean ground beef with good marbling for rich flavor and tender consistency.
  • Beef Broth: Enhances meaty depth and provides smooth liquid base for creating delectable sauce.
For Flavor Boosters:
  • Onion: Adds sweet aromatic foundation and provides subtle crunch to overall dish.
  • Garlic: Delivers intense, robust flavor that complements beef and creates complex taste profile.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Brings vibrant acidity and fresh brightness to the sauce.
  • Ketchup, Mustard, Worcestershire Sauce: Create tangy, complex flavor layers that mimic classic cheeseburger essence.
For Creamy Finishing:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding sharp, creamy richness that binds entire dish together.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating all existing flavors.
  • Fresh Parsley: Optional garnish that introduces fresh herbal note and visual appeal.

Gear Up For Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Night

  • Large Skillet: Essential for browning beef and cooking the entire dish with plenty of room to stir.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking while cooking.
  • Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking and remove excess water.
  • Cutting Board: Use for chopping onions and preparing ingredients before cooking.
  • Sharp Knife: Required for dicing onions and mincing garlic precisely.
  • Measuring Cups/Spoons: Help ensure accurate ingredient proportions for balanced flavor.
  • Cheese Grater: Useful if using block cheese that needs shredding before melting into the pasta.

Fast Steps To Make Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta

Fast Steps To Make Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta
  • Pasta Foundation

Cook your favorite pasta until perfectly tender. Drain and set to the side, ready for the flavor adventure.

  • Beefy Beginnings

In a large skillet, transform ground beef into a golden-brown masterpiece. Eliminate any extra grease for a cleaner dish.

  • Flavor Builders

Introduce diced onions and garlic to the skillet, creating an aromatic base that awakens the senses.

  • Sauce Symphony

Blend tomatoes, broth, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce into a harmonious liquid that simmers and melds delicious flavors.

  • Pasta Marriage

Reunite the cooked pasta with the rich sauce, ensuring every noodle gets a luxurious coating of savory goodness.

  • Cheesy Crescendo

Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the mixture, watching it melt into a creamy, irresistible blanket of deliciousness.

  • Final Touch

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optional herb garnish adds a fresh pop of color and flavor. Serve piping hot and enjoy your comfort food creation.

Top Tips For Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Lovers

  • Cheese Lover's Pasta Hacks
  • Cheese Variety Boost: Swap cheddar with monterey jack, pepper jack, or a blend of mozzarella and parmesan for different flavor profiles and melting textures.
  • Protein Power Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for healthier or vegetarian alternative protein options.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly: Use gluten-free pasta and ensure all sauce ingredients are gluten-free to make this dish suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Spice Level Adventure: Add red pepper flakes, jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce to transform the dish from mild to fiery for heat-seeking food lovers.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish in advance and refrigerate. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of broth to maintain moisture and restore creamy consistency.

How To Dish Out Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta

  • Comfort Clan Gathering: Perfect for family dinners where everyone can dig into a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal that feels like a warm hug.
  • Weekend Game Night Delight: Serve alongside crispy garlic bread and cold drinks for an epic sports watching experience that keeps everyone satisfied and energized.
  • Quick Potluck Champion: Transport this cheesy pasta in a covered dish for community gatherings, where it'll quickly become the most requested item on the buffet table.
  • Leftover Makeover Magic: Reheat gently with a splash of extra broth to restore creamy texture, transforming yesterday's dinner into today's exciting lunch option.

Keep Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Tasty Tomorrow

Transfer leftovers into airtight containers, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

  • Refrigeration Strategy: Store the cheesy pasta in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, keeping it at a consistent temperature below 40°F to preserve quality and taste.
  • Freezing Technique: Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months, allowing quick and convenient future meals without compromising texture.
  • Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated or thawed pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
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Indulgent Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe

Indulgent Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe


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4.7 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 3 1x

Description

Irresistible cheesy sloppy cheeseburger pasta blends classic burger flavors with comforting pasta perfection. Hearty ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty sauce create a memorable meal sure to satisfy hungry diners.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 8 oz (226 g) elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta in salted water until tender, then drain and set aside for later incorporation.
  2. Meat Browning: In a spacious skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbly pieces until achieving a rich golden-brown color and releasing deep flavor.
  3. Aromatics Integration: Drain excess fat, then add onions and garlic, sautéing until onions become translucent and release their aromatic essence, creating a flavor foundation.
  4. Sauce Development: Pour diced tomatoes, beef broth, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce into the skillet. Reduce heat and simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and intensify their collective taste profile.
  5. Pasta and Sauce Fusion: Fold cooked pasta into the simmering sauce, ensuring complete and uniform coating of each pasta strand with the robust mixture.
  6. Cheese Transformation: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the dish, stirring methodically until cheese melts completely, creating a creamy and luxurious texture.
  7. Final Enhancement: Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper, optionally garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch. Serve immediately while steaming hot for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Notes

  • Choose Quality Meat: Select lean ground beef (80/20 ratio) for optimal flavor and reduced excess grease during cooking.
  • Control Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce, ensuring a perfect bite and preventing overcooking.
  • Manage Liquid Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly to allow reduction and thickening, creating a rich, clingy texture that coats pasta evenly without becoming watery.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheese, stirring gently to create smooth, creamy melting without separating or becoming grainy.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 3
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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