Mediterranean Cheesy Sloppy Cheeseburger Pasta

This comforting one-pan pasta combines the flavors of a sloppy cheeseburger with Mediterranean ingredients like feta, olives, spinach, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s cheesy, saucy, hearty, and family-friendly.

Yield

Serves 6

Prep & Cook Time

• Prep: 20 minutes
• Cook: 30 minutes
• Total: About 50 minutes

Ingredients

Pasta

• 12 oz pasta
  (penne, rotini, shells, or elbow macaroni)

Meat Base

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Mediterranean Flavor Add-Ins

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• ⅓ cup sliced black or Kalamata olives
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried basil
• ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Sauce

• 1½ cups marinara sauce
• ½ cup beef broth or water
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Cheese

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• ½ cup crumbled feta

Seasonings

• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Optional Garnishes

• Fresh parsley
• Basil
• Extra feta
• Parmesan
• Red pepper flakes

Equipment

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Pasta pot
• Colander
• Wooden spoon

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring salted water to a boil.

Cook pasta until:

• al dente

Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add:

• onion

Cook:

• 4–5 minutes

until softened.

Add:

• garlic

Cook:

• 30 seconds

Add:

• ground beef

Cook until browned.

Drain excess grease if needed.

3. Add Mediterranean Ingredients

Stir in:

• sun-dried tomatoes
• olives
• oregano
• basil
• chili flakes
• salt
• pepper

Cook:

• 2 minutes

4. Make the Sauce

Add:

• marinara sauce
• beef broth
• tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Dijon mustard

Simmer:

• 5 minutes

until slightly thickened.

5. Add Spinach & Pasta

Stir in:

• spinach

Cook until wilted.

Add cooked pasta and toss well.

6. Add Cheese

Reduce heat to low.

Stir in:

• mozzarella
• cheddar

Mix until melted and creamy.

Fold in:

• feta

7. Serve

Top with:

• parsley
• extra feta
• parmesan
• basil

Serve hot.

Optional Baked Version

After mixing:

• transfer to baking dish
• top with extra mozzarella

Bake at:

• 375°F (190°C)
• 15 minutes

until bubbly and golden.

Variations

Lighter Version

Use:

• ground turkey
• reduced-fat cheese

Extra Veggies

Add:

• roasted red peppers
• zucchini
• mushrooms
• artichokes

Spicy Cheeseburger Pasta

Add:

• jalapeños
• extra chili flakes
• pepper jack cheese

Creamier Version

Stir in:

• ¼ cup cream cheese
  or
• ½ cup Greek yogurt

Storage

Refrigerator

• Up to 4 days

Freezer

• Up to 2 months

Reheating

Add a splash of:

• milk
  or
• broth