Stovetop Cheeseburger Macaroni

1. Tenderize the Beef

Start by mixing 1.5 tablespoons of water with 0.5 teaspoons of salt, the black pepper, and the baking soda in a small bowl until everything is dissolved. Add the beef to the bowl and mix thoroughly until it's well combined. Let this beef mixture sit for 15 minutes.

2. Brown the Beef

Heat a 12-inch broiler-safe skillet over medium-high heat until it’s just starting to smoke. Add the vegetable oil to the skillet, then add the beef mixture. Cook the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for about 6 to 8 minutes until it’s browned.

3. Cook the Pasta

Once the beef is browned, add the elbow macaroni, the whole milk, and the remaining 1.5 cups of water to the skillet. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.

4. Preheat the Broiler

While the pasta is cooking, adjust the oven rack to be about 6 inches from the broiler element and preheat the broiler.

5. Incorporate Cheeses and Other Ingredients

Once the pasta is tender, stir in 1.5 cups of the American cheese, 1.5 cups of the sharp cheddar cheese, the chopped onion, chopped dill pickles, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and the remaining 0.5 teaspoons of salt. Stir this mixture for about 2 minutes until the cheeses are fully melted and everything is well incorporated.

6. Broil the Cheese Topping

Take the skillet off the heat and sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cups of American cheese and 0.5 cups of sharp cheddar cheese over the top. Place the skillet under the broiler for about 2 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and has a spotty brown color.

7. Cool and Serve

Allow the dish to cool for about 5 minutes. Finally, sprinkle extra chopped onion and pickles over the top for added crunch and flavor, then serve your delicious stovetop cheeseburger macaroni. Enjoy!