Baked Cheeseburger Pasta

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Talk about an easy, weeknight family favorite! This one-dish Baked Cheeseburger Pasta has all the classic cheeseburger flavors—savory beef, creamy sauce, and melty cheddar—baked together in one pan with dry pasta.

It’s a weeknight dinner your whole family will love!

Top this cheesy comfort pasta with your favorite cheeseburger toppings- diced onion, pickles, shredded lettuce or chopped tomato and pair with a simple side salad or your favorite frozen veg for a full crowd pleasing dinner.

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

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• 9×13 Baking Dish
• Cooked and seasoned ground beef– this can be made ahead and frozen or refrigerated to save more time!
• 12 oz dry pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)- I find 16 ounces is too much. You can use a pound of pasta, but you’ll want to increase the liquids.
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce (or tomato sauce)
• Beef broth
• Ketchup & Mustard– for that cheeseburger flavor
• Heavy cream-to make the pasta creamy, this can be omitted if you don’t want it to be creamy
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Optional toppings for serving: diced pickles or relish, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, diced onions, sesame seeds, thousand island dressing

Serving Suggestions

• Simple green salad
• Steamed green beans
• Garlic bread or dinner rolls

How To Make It

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.

Brown the beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Drain excess grease.

Assemble the pasta
Add the cooked beef to the baking dish. Stir in the dry pasta, marinara sauce, beef broth, ketchup, mustard, and heavy cream until well combined.

Bake (covered)
Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.

Add cheese & finish baking
Remove the foil, stir the pasta well, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pasta is tender.

Rest & serve
Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving. Add cheeseburger-style toppings if desired and dig in!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish! ⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section. 📌Save this recipe to make later and share with a friend!

Variations

• Extra cheesy: Add 4 ounces of cubed cream cheese, if your family loves it extra melty.
• Bacon cheeseburger: Stir in ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon before baking.
• Pickle lovers: Mix chopped dill pickles into the pasta after baking or use as a topping.
• Lighter option: Use ground turkey and leave out the heavy cream.
• Spicy twist: Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce.

FAQ’s

Can I use a full 1 pound of pasta?

Yes! If you want to use 1 pound (16 oz) of dry pasta, increase the liquids so the pasta cooks properly.

Use these adjusted amounts:

• 1 pound dry pasta
• 2½ cups beef broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 2½–3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Bake covered for 40 minutes, then uncover, stir, add cheese, and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and tender.

Do I have to cook the pasta first?

No! This recipe is designed to use dry pasta that cooks right in the sauce while baking. Just make sure the dish is tightly covered for the first part of baking.

What type of pasta works best?

Short, sturdy shapes like penne, rotini, shells, or cavatappi work best. Avoid long noodles or very thin pasta, as they can cook unevenly.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything except the cheese, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add 5–10 extra minutes to the covered bake time, then uncover and add the cheese as directed.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How do I reheat cheeseburger pasta?

Reheat individual portions in the microwave with a splash of broth or milk to keep it creamy.
To reheat the whole dish, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through.

Can I freeze this casserole?

This dish freezes best after baking. Let it cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Can I make this without heavy cream?

Yes. You can substitute half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be slightly less rich and creamy.

What toppings go well with cheeseburger pasta?

Just like a burger! Try:

• Diced pickles
• Diced onion
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Extra ketchup, mustard, or thousand island dressing drizzled on top

More Weeknight Favorites

• One Pan Creamy Pesto Chicken with Orzo
• Marry Me Chicken Rice Casserole
• Chicken Ramen
• One Pan Taco Skillet
• Stuffed Shells
• Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf
• Homemade Hamburger Helper

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One-Dish Baked Cheeseburger Pasta 🍔

All the flavors of a classic cheeseburger baked into a creamy, cheesy pasta—made in ONE PAN with no boiling required! This easy family dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and picky eaters. Save this recipe for later!

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