This Hamburger Pasta Medley is an easy to prepare hamburger and pasta skillet meal, that’s a family favorite!
The main ingredient of this hamburger goulash style dish is leftover hamburger patties. Or make this hamburger pasta from scratch using ground beef and onions, similar to a ground beef pasta skillet recipe. It’s delicious served with a lemon vinaigrette red leaf salad for a fresh summer meal. And don’t forget a bowl of raspberry rhubarb crisp for dessert!
Easy Hamburger Pasta
- Got leftover hamburgers? This recipe is a great way to use them up!
- Hamburger pasta medley is a quick 30 minute meal, so it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
- Loaded with delicious and hearty ingredients, this skillet meal is a super way to feed a hungry crowd.
- While this pasta medley recipe is a twist on a more traditional baked macaroni and cheese, made with gravy it is the perfect harmony of pasta, hamburger and sauce.
Ingredients And Variations
MEAT: Leftover hamburger patties are the main ingredient. And using ones that are already flavored with delicious seasonings, and maybe even tasty BBQ sauce, are a perfect addition to this pasta medley. Frozen hamburger patties can be used as well. Just fry them up on the stove and continue with the recipe if grilling them is not an option. Add in the sausage, as mild or spicy as desired, for a tasty variation. And if there are leftover hot dogs in the fridge, use them in place of the sausage.
PASTA: While macaroni is the pasta of choice in this recipe, any short pasta will do. Try fusilli, penne, or even cheese tortellini.
VEGETABLES: Onions, tomatoes and peas are delicious in this pasta dish. But use what is available or the family loves! Red peppers, zucchini and a bit of spinach would all be tasty substitutions.
CHEESE: Parmesan cheese adds just the right amount of zest to this pasta medley, however use a favorite type to melt over the top for a delicious variation.
How To Make Hamburger Pasta Medley
- Cut cooked hamburger patties and sausage (if using) into smaller chunks. Add to a large skillet and fry to brown slightly. (if using ground beef and onions, fry in pan until cooked)
- Add gravy, tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer.
- Prepare macaroni as per package directions. Add frozen peas at the end of cook time. Drain.
- Add macaroni and peas to beef mixture.
- Remove from heat, stir and season to taste. Top with cheese and let sit for 2 minutes.
Tips & Tricks!
If using fresh ground beef and onions, use an onion chopper to dice the onions, and the meat chopper to break up the ground beef as it is cooking. This is especially effective for beef that is not quite defrosted.
Freeze cooked hamburgers and hot dogs with parchment paper in between them, and in a zippered bag or plastic container. Easily separate each patty in order to pop out for this tasty hamburger pasta medley! Or use the leftover burgers in other tasty recipes including Salisbury steak, meatloaf, ground beef stroganoff, and this patty melt.
It is not recommended to re-freeze defrosted frozen hamburger patties. According to the USDA, for proper food safety, do not refreeze meat unless thawed in the fridge. In general, its just a good idea to cook up the defrosted meat, then cook to a temperature that is safe for consumption. Once cooled, freeze.
Serving and Storing
Store leftover burger patties for 3-5 days in the refrigerator and freeze for about 3 months.
If there is any leftover hamburger pasta medley, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. While this dish can be frozen, the pasta will not be at its best.
To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 300˚F until warmed through. Or microwave portions for a quick lunch or light dinner!
Serve this delicious pasta dish at a buffet table along with kale quinoa salad, iceberg wedge salad and bow tie pesto pasta salad.
Other Pasta Recipes!
Hamburger Pasta Medley
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or cooked hamburger patties
- 2 sausages cooked, or hot dogs (optional)
- ½ cup onion diced (if using ground beef or unflavored patties)
- 14 ounces gravy 1 can
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes 1 can
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 pound macaroni pasta cooked al dente
- 2 cups frozen peas
- parmesan cheese or other cheese, optional for garnish
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- If using cooked hamburger patties, cut into long slices and cut in half. Slice sausages if using. Add to a large skillet and fry to brown slightly.
- If using ground beef and onions, add ground beef to the pan and let brown for 3-4 minutes without stirring. Add onions, and cook ground beef, breaking up, until cooked through and onions are softened. (Drain if necessary)
- Add gravy, tomato and tomato paste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer.
- Meanwhile, while ground beef is cooking, boil water for macaroni and cook macaroni noodles to al dente per time on the package.
- When there are 5 minutes left for cooking the macaroni, add the frozen peas along with the pasta.
- Once the macaroni and peas are cooked, drain and add to beef mixture in the skillet. Remove from heat, stir and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Serve and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and pepper to taste.
Notes
- The gravy and tomatoes add quite a bit of salt, so it’s not recommended to add more. However, adjust to taste.
- Use low sodium versions for ingredients to reduce sodium intake.
- Use any preferred gravy flavor. Or substitute with leftover homemade gravy, or equivalent dry gravy mix with water.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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Good recipe, but 1 lb pasta is way too much.
So glad you love the pasta Connie! We enjoyed it with one pound, but it’s easy to adjust the amount for this recipe.
Like!!