This Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni is better than boxed hamburger helper. It’s quick, easy and the best comfort food to make on weeknights after work.
Pasta is a go to in my house. There are so many creative and delicious ways to use it. For example, my Lazy Ravioli Lasagna and my Lemony Ricotta Pasta.
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Why this Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe is a Keeper
TMy recipe is a true one‑pan wonder. It is quick to make, easy to clean up, and full of satisfying flavor. It’s the kind of simple, dependable dish that fits perfectly into any quick‑and‑easy recipe lineup.
- One Skillet Wonder: No extra dishes to wash for this homemade meal since everything cooks in one pan.
- Pantry Staple Friendly: Uses simple, everyday ingredients you probably already have.
- Family-Approved: Even picky eaters love this cheesy, beefy pasta.
- Way Better Than the Box: Richer flavor, more texture, and no mystery ingredients.
Why is My Pasta Dry or Soggy?
If your pasta is dry it probably hasn’t cooked long enough or you need to add more broth or cream cheese to the dish. If the noodles are soggy, it has overcooked.
Pro Tip for the Dinner Recipe
Big Mac: For a big mac inspired twist, top with diced pickles, thousand island sauce, sesame seeds, onion, and lettuce.
Ingredient Notes for Homemade Hamburger Helper
To make this homemade version of hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni, you will need few easy-to-find ingredients.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Lean Ground Beef: You will need a pound of ground beef to make this homemade hamburger helper cheeseburger pasta skillet.
- Noodles: Elbow macaroni is perfect for this easy one pot recipe, but you can also use another short pasta.
- Shredded Cheese: I like to use sharp cheddar cheese to make the creamy cheese sauce.
Variations and Substitutions for the Ground Beef Recipe
Feel free to use different ingredients to substitute or experiment with flavors.
- Swap the Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this super easy to make cheeseburger mac.
- Add More Veggies: Stir in frozen peas, spinach, or chopped bell peppers for extra nutrients.
- Use a Different Cheese: Try Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend for a twist.
- Make it Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Different Flavors: Add a little Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder or pickle juice.
Special Equipment Needed to Make Cheeseburger Macaroni
You don’t need anything fancy, but you will need a pan with a lid that fits.
- Skillet & Lid: You can either use a large skillet or a Dutch oven with a lid.
How to Make the Best Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
This recipe comes together in just 3 easy to follow steps. My family loves this easy to prepare recipe so much, I make it over and over again.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Then add the minced onion and cook for a couple minutes. Then add in the minced garlic.
- Cook Noodles: Stir in the tomato paste and beef broth, then add in the elbow macaroni noodles. Increase the heat and bring to a simmer. When simmering, cover the pan, lower heat and cook until noodles are done.
- Add Creaminess and Seasonings: Mix in the cream cheese and milk, followed by the Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and serve hot.
Prep Ahead for This One Pot Easy Dinner Recipe
I like to prepare ingredients ahead of time so that I don’t have to do all of the steps at once when I’m making dinner.
- Pre-Cook the Beef: Brown the ground beef up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate.
- Pre-Shred Cheese: Shred and store cheese in an airtight container to save time.
- Pre-Cook Noodles: Cook the noodles ahead of time, but be sure to undercook them by a couple minutes as they will cook to al dente when added to the sauce. Store in an airtight container with a little olive oil.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Easy Cheeseburger Macaroni
Alternatively, you can make this easy homemade hamburger helper recipe by using your crock pot or instant pot.
- Instant Pot: Sauté beef on sauté mode, then cook pasta under pressure with broth. Finish with cheese after pressure release.
- Slow Cooker: Brown beef first, then combine all ingredients except cheese in slow cooker on Low for 2-3 hours. Stir in cheese at the end.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Storing: Cool completely and store leftover cheeseburger macaroni in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat homemade hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni gently on the stove or microwave with a splash of broth or milk to loosen sauce.
- Using Leftovers: Serve with garlic bread or turn into a pasta bake by topping with extra cheese and baking until bubbly.
Questions About This Hamburger Mac and Cheese
This mac and cheese recipe is kept creamy from the milk, cream cheese and cheddar. For even creamier mac and cheese, swap the milk for cream or half n half.
Of course, try peas, carrots, diced bell peppers, mushrooms or spinach to make a more complete meal.
Tips for Make This Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Undercook slightly as it will continue cooking in the hot sauce.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded often has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Use a Lid While Simmering: Helps cook the pasta faster and more evenly.
- Serve With: Serve with Honey Butter Skillet Corn, Crock Pot Baked Beans or Garlic Parmesan Green Beans.
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Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 small Onion, minced
- 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Tomato paste
- 2 cups Beef broth
- 3-4 cups Macaroni noodles, uncooked
- 8 ounces Cream cheese
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Salt, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper, to taste
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded or more to taste
- Parsley, optional garnish
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until well-browned and no pink remains, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the minced onion and cook for 4 minute until translucent, then add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute. (Add oil as needed to prevent the onions and garlic from burning.)
- Stir in the tomato paste and broth until well-distributed.
- Add the uncooked pasta and increase heat to medium-high until simmering.
- Cover the skillet and reduce heat to medium until pasta is fully cooked, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Distribute the cream cheese over the pasta and pour in the milk.
- Season with Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until cream cheese is completely melted and incorporated.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese until just melted and serve immediately.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to bring a cook out, to double this recipe, increase the ingredients proportionally.
- Instant Pot: You can also make this recipe in an instant pot using this recipe.
- Big Mac: For a big mac inspired twist, top with diced pickles, thousand island sauce, sesame seeds, onion, and lettuce.
- Different Cheese: Try using pepper jack, gruyere or other cheese blends to make a unique Cheeseburger Macaroni.
- Heat: Red Pepper Flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce can really up the flavor.
- Veggies: Sneak in a little spinach, mushrooms or diced tomatoes to the cheeseburger mac.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.