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Cozy One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner with Pickles and Special Sauce

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A quick and comforting one-pot cheeseburger pasta featuring ground beef, melty cheddar, tangy pickles, and a special homemade sauce. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni (regular or whole wheat, or gluten-free pasta)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth (low sodium recommended)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 200 g)
  • ½ cup chopped pickles (dill or bread-and-butter)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (60 ml)
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add 1 pound ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  2. Add 1 finely diced medium yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring frequently.
  3. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor. Pour in 3 cups beef broth and bring to a gentle boil.
  4. Add 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni to the simmering broth. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender but not mushy.
  5. Remove lid and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Fold in ½ cup chopped pickles gently.
  6. In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and swirl into the pasta mixture. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Let pasta rest off heat for 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Serve warm, garnished with extra pickles or shredded cheese if desired.

Notes

Stir pasta occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking. If liquid evaporates too fast, add a splash of hot water or broth. Fold in pickles near the end to keep them crisp. Letting the dish rest off heat thickens the sauce nicely. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese and vegan mayo. For lower-carb, substitute pasta with zucchini noodles (adjust cooking time).

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot pasta, cheeseburger pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, pickles, special sauce, quick meal, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/cozy-one-pot-cheeseburger-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-with-pickles-and-special-sauce/