To make Big Mac pasta, brown 1 lb ground beef with a diced onion, season it with garlic, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder, then simmer 16 oz of short pasta right in the skillet in 4 cups of beef broth for 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in a quick Big Mac–style sauce of mayonnaise, ketchup and yellow mustard, melt in a cup of shredded cheddar and finish with chopped pickles, shredded lettuce and sesame seeds. It’s one pan, about 20 minutes and serves 6.
Big Mac Cheeseburger Pasta is a one pan meal and everything you love about your favorite cheeseburger in the form of a delicious skillet pasta dish. Quick, easy with minimal prep time and ingredients this recipe is a dinner winner that the whole family will love!
As a mom and a teacher, life can sometimes feel like a nonstop race. Between school runs, after-school activities, and trying to keep the house in some semblance of order, there’s little time left for lengthy meal prep.
That’s where my secret weapon comes in: Easy Big Mac Cheeseburger Pasta! This dish has become a beloved favorite in my house, and I’m excited to share it with you all.
the ultimate family-friendly meal
One of my biggest challenges is finding meals that my kids will actually eat. You know the struggle–one child loves macaroni and cheese, while another won’t touch it unless it’s covered in ketchup.
But when I made this simple skillet pasta meal, I was met with smiles and empty plates! Its familiar flavors–think juicy burgers, gooey cheese, and a hint of tang from the pickles–are a guaranteed hit with even the pickiest of eaters.
Big Mac cheeseburger pasta skillet is perfect for entertaining friends
A few weeks ago, my best friend came to visit, and I wanted to impress both her and the kids without adding stress to the day. Enter this Big Mac cheeseburger pasta recipe! This dish is so easy to customize, which was perfect for accommodating everyone’s preferences!
Everyone, including the kids, dove right in! I love that this recipe can adapt to whatever flavors your family and friends prefer. This simple skillet meal checks all the boxes: it’s quick, delicious, versatile, and loved by the entire family. So whether you’re cooking for your kids or hosting friends, this dish is sure to bring smiles to your table.
Get ready to add this no-stress, one pan meal to the weekly rotation and your entertaining guests meal go-to!
why your whole family will love Big Mac cheeseburger pasta
- Minimal Prep Time: With simple ingredients you likely already have on hand–like ground beef, macaroni, cheese, and some pantry staples–it comes together quickly. This is a lifesaver when you need to whip up dinner in a hurry after a long day!
- One Pan, Less Mess: I’m all for meals that minimize cleanup. This recipe is cooked in just one skillet, which means I can focus on quality time with my kids instead of scrubbing pots and pans afterward.
- Meal Prep Friendly: I often make a double batch of this pasta on Sundays so we can enjoy leftovers throughout the week. My son who is in middle school, loves this cheeseburger pasta to pack for lunch at school. It reheats beautifully, making it a great option for busy nights.
ingredients
To make this easy and delicious Big Mac cheeseburger pasta skillet recipe you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!
Here’s what we are working with:
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- paprika
- garlic and onion powder
- short pasta (elbow macaroni, penne pasta)
- beef broth
- shredded cheddar cheese
- avocado mayonnaise
- ketchup
- yellow mustard
- pickles
- lettuce
- sesame seeds, optional for garnish
how to make one pan Big Mac cheeseburger pasta
You’ll find the exact amounts and printable steps in the recipe card below. Here’s what each step looks like, plus the little things that make it work.
cook the beef
1. Brown the beef. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add the minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir for about 1 minute.
add pasta
2. Simmer the pasta in broth. Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour in the beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
Add in the sauce and cheese
3. Stir in the sauce and cheese. Once the pasta is cooked, reduce heat to low and add in the mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard until combined. Keeping the heat low keeps the cheese smooth. Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy.
finishing touches
4. Add the Big Mac toppings. Stir in chopped pickles to taste. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with shredded lettuce and sesame seeds if desired, just like the top of a Big Mac bun. Enjoy!
Big Mac pasta vs. bacon cheeseburger pasta
This Big Mac pasta is all about the special sauce flavor: tangy mayo, ketchup and mustard, plus pickles, lettuce and sesame seeds on top. If you’re craving a classic cheeseburger with smoky bacon instead, you’ll find our one pot bacon cheeseburger pasta in the list below.
what to serve with Big Mac pasta
It’s a full meal in one skillet, but a simple green salad, crispy smashed potatoes or a plate of raw veggies on the side makes it feel like a fun burger night at home.
can I meal prep one pan Big Mac cheeseburger pasta?
Absolutely! This one pan Big Mac cheeseburger pasta recipe is one of my favorite meals to prep. It is a quick and easy meal that comes together fast which means more time for you to enjoy your weekend without a whole lot of time spent meal prepping. Also, the kids love this as an easy school lunch option to pack.
Simply divide this recipe into 4 meal prep containers. You will be set for the week with this meal. It’s a fantastic option for a complete, quick, and satisfying meal prep.
how to store and reheat Big Mac pasta
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat with a splash of beef broth to loosen the sauce. Add the lettuce and pickles after reheating so they stay crisp.
We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. This is such a fabulous recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.
Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!
ENJOY!
Big Mac pasta FAQs
It’s a one-pan pasta that tastes like a Big Mac: seasoned ground beef and short pasta cooked in beef broth, then stirred with a mayo, ketchup and mustard sauce, cheddar cheese and pickles, and topped with shredded lettuce and sesame seeds.
Yes, it’s a homemade, from-scratch version. The pasta cooks right in the skillet with the beef and broth, just like the boxed kind, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes.
A short pasta like elbow macaroni or penne. Use 16 oz and simmer it covered for 10 to 12 minutes, until al dente.
Yes. It’s a great meal prep recipe: divide it into containers and store it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days and add the lettuce after reheating.
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recipe video
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Easy Big Mac Cheeseburger Pasta (One Pan Meal!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion , diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 16 oz short pasta, elbow macaroni or penne
- 4 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup avocado mayonnaise
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- pickles, chopped (to preference)
- lettuce, shredded (for garnish)
- sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary. Add the minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir for about 1 minute.
- Add Pasta: Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour in the beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Combine the Sauce and Cheese: Once the pasta is cooked, reduce heat to low and stir in the mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard until combined. Stir in the cheese until melted and creamy.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in chopped pickles to taste. Serve the pasta hot, garnished with shredded lettuce and sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!
Equipment
Nutrition
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Nikki Bell
Im obsessed with the Big Mac ever since I worked at Mcds for 8 years back in my late teens and early 20s. the Big Mac wrap was a favorite of mine as well because it was way less messier than the OG Big Mac. Today I made this recipe because I had some pasta I had to get rid of and I was craving a Big Mac. I live in a food desert area though and my DG store was out of relish and I picked up a thing of Thousand Island dressing to substitute for the mayo/ketchup/mustard etc. I was just wondering how much of that dressing would you recommend as asubstitution? I used 1 cup. maybe even a little more because I eyeballed it. Great recipe idea by the way! Thank you. 🙂 (Nikki)
Sarah Troester
Thanks so much for your comment! Yes, 1/2 cup of 1 cup would be the amount I would use to substitute in the thousand island dress. So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
Kalie
My kids’ favorite meal!
Sarah Troester
So happy y’all love this one! We do too!
Chris
Basically home made hamburger helper? However it is tastier with all the fresh ingredients! Definitely worth it to try.