Easy Cheeseburger Pasta

Ok, yes – it would be very easy to grab everyone’s childhood favorite off of the shelf (and in a pinch, proceed with that!), but I promise you, this make-your-own version is super easy and gives you much more control over the ingredients. Dare I say, it might be even more satisfying!

This Cheeseburger Pasta comes together in 30 minutes or less. It’s delicious, comforting, and sure to please even the pickiest palettes around your dinner table. It’s also super versatile, giving you the option to switch up the cheeses and spices to your liking. You could even use a can of ROTEL tomatoes, if you’d like, giving it more of a southwestern flavor. Give it a try – you might just start making your own versions of your favorite boxed pasta dinners a little more often.

Easy Cheeseburger Pasta

Servings: 6-8
Cooking time: ~30 minutes

Ingredients:

• Egg noodles, cooked according to instructions on bag (I used about 3/4 of a 16 oz bag)
• 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or higher)
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp Vidalia onion, finely chopped
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika – all to taste
• A few sprinkles each of dried (or fresh) parsley, basil and oregano
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk (use whole if you can!)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 – 2 cups shredded cheese (I used a combination of medium yellow cheddar, sharp white cheddar and gouda)

Recipe

1. Boil a pot of water and cook egg noodles according to instructions on package. Drain, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet on medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain grease, leaving beef in the skillet. Return skillet/beef to heat.
3. Add 1 tbsp of butter to the skillet. Add in garlic, onions and bell pepper. Mix into beef, sautéing until softened.
4. Sprinkle in all seasonings and herbs, tasting along the way.
5. Add in remaining 2 tbsp of butter. Mix in flour until beef and veggies are coated.
6. Add in the milk and stir. Add in diced tomatoes, letting mixture simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Give it a taste and add in additional seasonings as needed.
7. Stir in shredded cheese, stirring until mixture is combined and cheese has melted.
8. Add the sauce to the egg noodles. Serve warm. Enjoy! *Note – want a kick? Sprinkle a little crushed red pepper onto pasta after plating.