One-Pan Cheeseburger Mac

Name: One-Pan Cheeseburger Mac
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 medium yellow onion, chopped; 2 tbsp burger seasoning; 1 tbsp minced garlic; 1/4 cup ketchup; 2 tbsp yellow mustard; 2 tbsp dill pickle juice; 1 lb elbow macaroni; 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce; 4 cups beef broth; 3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese; 1/4 cup milk; 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

One-Pan Cheeseburger Mac is a quick one-pan dinner that combines ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a savory cheesy sauce infused with pickle juice, ketchup, and mustard for authentic cheeseburger flavor.

🌍American 🏷️Cheeseburger mac 🏷️Macaroni 🏷️Pasta 🏷️Ground beef One-pan

🏷️

🏷️Skillet meal

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

25 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$25–$41

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 tbsp burger seasoning
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp dill pickle juice
1 lb elbow macaroni
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
4 cups beef broth
3 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
1/4 cup milk
2 green onions, sliced for garnishoptional

13 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion.
2
Break up the beef and cook with the onion until the beef is browned. Stir in the burger seasoning.
3
Add the minced garlic, ketchup, mustard, and pickle juice to the skillet. Stir everything together.
4
Add the uncooked elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.
5
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
6
Uncover the skillet and stir in the shredded cheese and milk until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
7
Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef fully and break it into small pieces before adding other ingredients—this ensures even flavor distribution and prevents clumping in the sauce.
Stir the pasta frequently once added to prevent sticking to the pan bottom; the broth should bubble gently, not boil vigorously.
Taste the pasta at 8-9 minutes to check doneness; it should be tender but not mushy, as it continues cooking slightly as the broth reduces.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground chicken (reduces fat; use full amount)
Beef broth → chicken broth or vegetable broth (flavor will be milder)
Dill pickle juice → sweet pickle juice or apple cider vinegar (changes tang profile)
Elbow macaroni → small shells or ditalini (same cooking time, similar texture)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with 1-2 tablespoons of broth to restore creaminess.

Common Questions

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes. Any short pasta like ditalini, small shells, or penne works well and cooks in similar time. Avoid long shapes like spaghetti that don't coat evenly.

How do I prevent the pasta from sticking?

Stir frequently once the pasta is added, especially in the first 3-4 minutes. The beef broth should keep it loose; add more broth if it becomes too thick mid-cook.