cheeseburger pasta; cheeseburger skillet recipe — Makes: *8 servings*
Per Serving: *45g Protein | 367 Cal*

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At first glance, cheeseburgers might not seem to be something that will help you reach your health goals, but if one of your goals is to eat more protein, this cheeseburger skillet pasta dish is just what you need.

A little bit cozier than traditional burgers and easy for meal prepping, it’s everything you love about a classic cheeseburger—beef, cheese, ketchup, and mustard—combined with my favorite high-protein pasta. The best part? It all comes together in just one pan.

It’s easy to make, super versatile (making it a great option for people with dietary restrictions), and so flavorful. You’re going to want to add this one to your regular rotation of easy weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Recipe

Packed with Protein: Each serving of this cheesy cheeseburger skillet packs in 45g of protein.
Made in Just One Pan: This entire meal comes together in one pan, meaning less cleanup for you (and a perfect fit for busy weeknights). Hooray for one-pot meals!
Super Versatile: Make it dairy-free, swap out the beef for turkey, chicken, lentils, or plant-based meat alternatives, add veggies, or try new toppings.
Great for Meal Prepping: This comforting pasta dish keeps well for a few days in the fridge when you store it in an airtight container.

close-up shot of cheeseburger pasta; cheeseburger skillet recipe

Ingredients

2 boxes of Kaizen Noodles (or 1 box of pasta for a smaller batch)
1 lb ground lean beef
1 onion, diced
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup ketchup
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
½ tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
3.5 cups beef broth (or 2.5 cups if using only 1 pack of pasta) (if needed, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead)
1.5 cups shredded low-fat cheddar cheese (+ ½ cup for topping) (Dairy-free cheese works too!)

Topping Ideas

Pickles
Lettuce
Extra ketchup & mustard

Instructions

Cook the ground beef: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and cooked through.
Add the garlic: Add the garlic and garlic powder to the meat mixture. Stir to combine and let it cook for about 30 seconds-1 minute. Add the ketchup and stir to coat the beef.
Cook the pasta: Add the beef bone broth and the pasta. Stir to combine. Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the bone broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through (to al dente) and the bone broth is mostly absorbed.
Stir in the cheese: Once the pasta is cooked and most of the bone broth is absorbed, add 1.5 cups of shredded cheese over the cooked pasta. Stir until the cheese melts.
Top with cheese: Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top of the skillet, turn off the heat, and cover to let the cheese melt.
Garnish and serve: Add your favorite burger toppings—pickles, lettuce, a drizzle of ketchup or mustard, green onions or other fresh onion, or tomatoes—and serve!

Special Burger Sauce (Optional, but SO Good!)

Want to level up this family favorite? Try this easy burger sauce for a Big Mac-style flavor boost!

Ingredients:

½ cup mayo
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon pickle juice
1 teaspoon finely chopped pickles (optional)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Mix everything in a bowl, drizzle over your cheeseburger pasta, and enjoy!

Nutrition Info (Per Serving - Makes 8 Servings)

Calories: 367
Protein: 45g
Carbs: 23g
Fat: 10g

Meal Prep & Storage Tips

To Meal Prep: Store portions in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: Freeze in individual portions or all together in one airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw and reheat.
To Reheat: Reheat gently in a skillet. Add a little bit of bone broth to keep it creamy—the pasta will likely soak up the liquid as it sits in the fridge.

overhead photo of cheeseburger skillet recipe; cheeseburger pasta

FAQs

Instead of the Kaizen protein pasta, use your favorite gluten-free pasta (preferably a high-protein version of elbow macaroni) and double check that the Worcestershire sauce and ketchup you’re planning to use are gluten-free.
Absolutely! Use a dairy-free cheese instead of the melty cheese or add in some nutritional yeast for some of that cheesy flavor.
If you’d rather not use beef, try making this satisfying dinner with ground turkey, ground chicken, plant-based crumbles, or lentils.
If the bone broth is absorbing (or evaporating) too quickly, add a little extra bone broth while it’s cooking.
If you’d like to add in some vegetables, try mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrots, bell peppers, diced tomatoes, or even chopped spinach.
Yes! If you’re looking for more of a creamy texture (more like homemade hamburger helper), try adding a little non-fat plain Greek yogurt or even a little light cream cheese before you add the cheese on top.

This One Pan Cheeseburger Pasta Casserole is everything you love about a classic cheeseburger but in a high-protein, easy-to-make, meal-prep-friendly dish. Whether you enjoy it fresh off the stove or pack it for the week, it’s guaranteed to hit the spot—the whole family is sure to love it!