Introduction
is my go-to recipe when I need serious comfort food — and trust me, with three teenagers at home, that's pretty often! I stumbled upon this recipe during last year's endless winter days (you know, when even my trusty slow cooker needed a break). It's basically everything you love about a sloppy joe smashed together with mac and cheese, but way better. The pasta soaks up all that tomatoey goodness, while three — yes, three! — kinds of cheese create this ridiculous stretchy situation that makes my kids actually run to the dinner table.
Timing
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best, but honestly? Use what you've got)
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup - frozen works in a pinch!)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tbsp from the jar, no judgment)
- 1 pound rotini pasta (penne works too)
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (trust me on this one)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Base
Start by bringing a large pot of water to boil — and yes, salt it like the Mediterranean! While that's happening, brown your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a wooden spoon until it's all crumbly and no pink remains. The sizzle should be pretty intense — if it's not, your pan isn't hot enough!
Step 2: Build Those Flavors
Drain most of the fat (leave just a tiny bit for flavor), then add your onions to the meat. Cook until they're soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant — maybe 30 seconds? Don't let it burn or you'll be starting over (learned that one the hard way 😅).
Step 3: Create The Sauce
Now's when the magic happens! Stir in your tomato sauce, paste, Worcestershire sauce, and that secret weapon brown sugar. Let it simmer while your pasta cooks. The sauce should get thick enough to coat the back of a spoon — kinda like a good marinara but heartier.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Once your pasta's al dente (seriously, don't overcook it), drain it and add it right to your meat sauce. Stir everything together, Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pastathen — this is important — TURN OFF THE HEAT before adding your cheese! Fold in the cheeses gradually, and watch as it turns into this gorgeous, gooey masterpiece.
