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Loaded Cheeseburger Macaroni Pasta

Rich, cheesy, and wonderfully nostalgic, this Loaded Cheeseburger Macaroni Pasta is perfect for weeknight dinners and feeds a hungry crew easily.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Protein
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 for flavor, or 93/7 for leaner
Vegetables and Flavorings
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth low-sodium if preferred
  • 1 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk for lighter version
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp yellow mustard or Dijon
  • 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cheeses and Extras
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon or turkey bacon
  • 1/4 cup dill pickle relish or chopped dill pickles (optional)
  • 2 tbsp chopped green onions or chives for garnish
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn or diced tomato optional for extra texture

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8–10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and brown for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Add diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Cook for 1 minute to build flavor.
  2. Pour in beef broth and milk, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Add cooked macaroni to the skillet and stir to combine. Simmer for 10–12 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy. Mix in crumbled bacon and pickle relish (if using). Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  5. Optional: Transfer to an oven-safe baking dish, sprinkle with extra cheddar, and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbly for a crispy top (watch closely).
Serving
  1. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions or chives.

Notes

Can be made gluten-free using gluten-free pasta. For a vegan option, replace with plant-based crumbles and milk. Make-ahead by assembling and refrigerating before baking.