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Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.
Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings
- 2 teaspoons butter
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pounds 93% lean ground beef
- 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons pickle relish
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- teaspoon smoked paprika
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions
- In a deep cast iron skillet, melt butter and oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for about 3 minutes, until translucent.
- Stir in minced garlic and ground beef. Cook and stir, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until the beef is crumbled and browned, about 7 minutes.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and evaporated milk, then stir to combine.
- Add pickle relish, Dijon mustard, granulated garlic, granulated onion, Montreal steak seasoning, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well mixed.
- Reserve cup of beef broth, then add the remaining beef broth to the skillet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and the reserved cup of beef broth to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the skillet to thicken the sauce.
- Add the dry elbow macaroni to the skillet, making sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender but still has a bite.
- Preheat the ovens broiler and set a rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
- Stir in 2 cups of shredded sharp Cheddar cheese into the macaroni mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly across the top of the skillet.
- Broil for about 3 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- Calories: 863
- Total Fat: 56g (72% Daily Value)
- Saturated Fat: 30g (148% Daily Value)
- Cholesterol: 218mg (73% Daily Value)
- Sodium: 1737mg (76% Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrates: 27g (10% Daily Value)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (7% Daily Value)
- Total Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 63g (126% Daily Value)
- Vitamin C: 6mg (6% Daily Value)
- Calcium: 1008mg (78% Daily Value)
- Iron: 5mg (26% Daily Value)
- Potassium: 946mg (20% Daily Value)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
History and Origins of Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta
The Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta is a modern American comfort food that blends two iconic dishes: the cheeseburger and creamy pasta casseroles. Its origins trace back to mid-20th century America, when home cooks sought quick, hearty meals that satisfied the flavor of a grilled burger without the need for a grill. The concept of combining ground beef, cheese, and pasta emerged from traditional casserole recipes popularized in the 1950s, with regional cookbooks often featuring variations that mixed tomato sauces, cheeses, and seasonings for family-friendly weeknight dinners.
Regional Variations
Though universally beloved in the United States, Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta has subtle regional twists. In the Midwest, recipes tend to include evaporated milk or cream sauces for a richer texture, while Southern versions often incorporate smoked paprika, chili powder, or even hot sauce for a spicier, bolder flavor. On the East Coast, cooks may favor sharp Cheddar combined with mild American cheese to balance the tanginess of pickles or Dijon mustard. Each region adapts the dish to local taste preferences, making it both familiar and unique depending on where it is served.
Comparison with Similar Dishes
While it shares characteristics with macaroni and cheese or hamburger casseroles, Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta stands out due to its direct imitation of a cheeseburgers flavor profile within a pasta format. Unlike traditional mac and cheese, which relies solely on cheese sauces, this dish integrates tomato sauce, pickles, mustard, and seasoned beef, giving it the unmistakable taste of a cheeseburger. Unlike baked hamburger casseroles, the skillet method keeps the pasta tender and the cheese perfectly melted, creating a rich, layered texture.
Serving Occasions
Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta is most commonly served as a casual family dinner or at potlucks, where convenience and flavor are key. It is ideal for weeknight meals, thanks to its quick preparation and one-pan cooking method. Some diners also enjoy it as a hearty lunch, especially when leftovers are reheated, as the flavors deepen over time. It is often paired with simple sides like a green salad or garlic bread, enhancing the comfort food experience.
Interesting Facts
- The dish is particularly popular in cast iron skillets, as the even heat distribution helps the cheese brown perfectly on top.
- Despite its modern popularity, the concept of combining ground beef, pasta, and cheese dates back over 70 years in American home cooking.
- Many home cooks experiment with variations, such as using turkey or plant-based ground meat, or adding vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.
- Its flavor balancesavory, tangy, and creamymakes it a crowd-pleaser for both children and adults.
- Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta has inspired viral social media recipes due to its visual appeal and indulgent taste.
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FAQ about Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe
Comments
Christine Hernandez
02/07/2023 01:54:17 PM
Great Comfort Food Choice! We absolutely loved indulging in a traditional elbow macaroni hamburger casserole! It was a truly satisfying meal. I made a few adjustments: - I cooked the hamburger separately as I only had 80/20 meat instead of 93% lean, to avoid the excess grease affecting the dish. - I opted for dill pickles over pickle relish. - I used a 12" cast iron pan, which just managed to fit the full recipe. While I found it a bit redundant to use both granulated garlic/onion and fresh garlic/onion in the recipe, I followed the instructions. The tomato and evaporated milk sauce did separate a bit, but this didn't affect the taste or texture. The best part is that we now have plenty of leftovers! 😊 Next time, I might bake it in a 9x13 glass pan to lighten it up a bit.
Stephen Walker
12/08/2022 02:37:36 PM
I tried the Skillet Cheeseburger Pasta recipe and found it to be decent. There is room for improvement with a few adjustments. My family felt that the dish was a bit too salty, so next time, I plan to use low-sodium beef broth and skip the additional salt.
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