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Cheeseburger Macaroni

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This Cheeseburger Macaroni is easy to make, cheesy, and oh so delicious. If you are looking for a quick weeknight meal that your entire family will love then this is the recipe for you.

You can never go wrong with a one pot meal that is loaded with pasta and cheese. And, if you love cheesy pasta recipes you may also enjoy this Boursin Cheese Pasta recipe or this Pizza Mac and Cheese.

Cheeseburger Macaroni in a bowl, with more Cheeseburger Macaroni in a large skillet , onion and parsley on the side.
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Homemade Hamburger Helper

The boxed hamburger helper was invented in the 1970’s and it is still a staple in many homes. With this recipe you can make homemade hamburger helper that’s just as delicious, but doesn’t contain the chemicals like the boxed kind.

Why I Love This Recipe

This dish is full of cheesy pasta goodness, creating a delicious one pot meal that is sure to delight.

  • Ready in under 30 minutes
  • Easy to make
  • Perfect for picky eaters
  • Fills the house with a delicious aroma

If you love pasta recipes you may also enjoy this Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta recipe.

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Ingredients

Cheeseburger Macaroni ingredients.

You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this simple, yet delicious recipe. After one quick trip to the grocery store, you will have a tasty recipe in no time at all.

Ground Beef – You will need some ground beef to cook this recipe. You can pick your favorite type of ground beef.

Pasta – I used elbow noodles to make this skillet meal.

Broth – Beef broth is my favorite type of broth to use in this recipe.

Seasonings – You will need Italian seasoning and salt and pepper for this dish.

Substitutions

Beef – Instead of ground beef you could also use ground turkey.

Broth – If you don’t have broth on hand, you can use bouillon or water for this pasta dish.

Variations / Options / Add-Ins

Here are a few ways that you can personalize this recipe.

Cheese: Instead of using cheddar cheese, you could also use colby-jack or pepper jack depending on your tastebuds.

Spicy: If you want to add a touch of heat to your pasta, you can add crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper.

You can also incorporate ground beef into this high protein gluten free mac & cheese for a lower carb option.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

Making this dish is so simple and all you need is a couple of kitchen tools. Here’s a quick list of what you need.

How to Make Cheeseburger Macaroni

Making this one pot meal is so simple just follow the instructions below and you will have a cheesy pasta dish in no time at all.

Step 1: Brown the ground beef until done

Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.

Ground beef in a large skillet. Tomato paste and Italian seasoning on the side.

Step 2: Cook the onion and garlic

Add the minced onion, cook for 4 minutes. Once the onions are softened, add the garlic and sauté for one minute. 

Onions are added in a large skillet with ground beef.

Step 3: Add tomato paste, pasta and bring to a boil

Stir in tomato paste, broth, and uncooked pasta into the skillet with the heat increased to medium-high, and bring to a boil. 

tomato paste, broth, uncooked pasta are added into the skillet.

Step 4: Cover and cook the pasta

Once it’s reached a boil, cover the skillet. Reduce heat to medium until pasta is fully cooked, stirring occasionally. 

In a large skillet, ground beef, onion, tomato pasta, broth, pasta, are  combined.

Step 5: Add the cream cheese

Stir in the cream cheese until it melts and pour in the milk. Once the sauce is incorporated, add the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

Cream cheese, milk, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper are added to the pasta in a large skillet.

Step 6: Mix in the cheese

Finally, stir the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture until melted and then serve. 

Shredded cheddar cheese is added to the pasta mixture in a large skillet.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve this pasta recipe with a side of these Air Fryer Breadsticks and a healthy side dish like this Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables recipe.

a closeup of Cheeseburger Macaroni in a serving bowl, garnished with parsley.

Pro Tips

Here are a few tips to help make sure that your homemade hamburger helper comes together perfectly every time that you make it.

  • Make sure you cook the pasta that you are using according to the timing on the package directions.
  • I’ve found that cheese that I shred myself melts so much better in recipes like this one.
  • If you like your pasta dish extra cheesy feel free to add more cheese than the recipe calls for.

FAQs

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.

How to store

This pasta dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

How to reheat

You can reheat this dish in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop until warm.

Can I freeze this?

I don’t recommend that you freeze this dish.

More Pasta Recipes

If you like pasta, give these recipes a try:

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📋 Recipe

Cheeseburger Macaroni

Corinne Schmitt
This one pot meal is cheesy, flavorful and perfect for busy weeknights.
5 from 16 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 957 kcal

Equipment

  • Large skillet or pot with a lid
  • wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Ground Beef
  • 1 Small Onion minced
  • 2-3 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 2 cups Broth
  • 3-4 cups Macaroni Noodles uncooked
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese or more to taste
  • Parsley optional garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the minced onion, cook for 4 minutes. Once the onions are softened, add the garlic and sauté for one minute.
  • Stir in tomato paste, broth, and uncooked pasta into the skillet with the heat increased to medium-high, and bring to a boil. 
  • Once it’s reached a boil, cover the skillet. Reduce heat to medium until pasta is fully cooked, stirring occasionally. 
  • Stir in the cream cheese until it melts and pour in the milk. Once the sauce is incorporated, add the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
  • Finally, stir the shredded cheddar cheese into the mixture until melted and then serve. 

Video

Notes

  • Make sure you cook the pasta that you are using according to the timing on the package directions.
  • I’ve found that cheese that I shred myself melts so much better in recipes like this one.
  • If you like your pasta dish extra cheesy feel free to add more cheese than the recipe calls for.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 957kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 43gFat: 55gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 173mgSodium: 986mgPotassium: 786mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1499IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 390mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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