Cheeseburger Macaroni

This post may contain affiliate links.  For more information, read my disclosure policy here  

Cheeseburger Macaroni recipes will be approved by even your pickiest eaters. Perfect for hectic weeknights when you want a hearty dinner.

Cheeseburger Macaroni on a checkered tablecloth.

SAVE THIS RECIPE!

Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.

Save Recipe Final

Cheeseburger macaroni recipes are a classic kid favorite. Your family will be obsessed with this Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese recipe. This recipe is ready in less than 30 minutes and so much better than any boxed mac and cheese you can get at the store.

For information about ground beef, visit the USDA for more information.


MORE MACARONI RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese | Instant Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni | Mac and Cheese with Ham

Meal planning printables
Get Our Free Meal Planning Bundle

With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.


What We Love About This Macaroni Cheeseburger Recipe

  • 30 Minute Meal: Make this on a busy weeknight as it is ready in less than 30 minutes.
  • Family Friendly: This cheeseburger macaroni and cheese will be a hit will your whole family.
  • Adaptable: You can make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap for a gluten free pasta.
A bowl and a black plate of the cheeseburger dish.

Ingredient Notes for Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni

  • Ground Beef: You can use whatever lean to fat ratio of ground beef, if you use a lean ground beef you might need a bit extra olive oil when sautéing the onions and garlic.
  • Onion: I used a small white onion, you can also use a yellow onion as well.
  • Garlic: You will need about 2-3 garlic cloves, you can also supplement with pre minced garlic in a jar or garlic powder, but fresh will give the best flavor.
  • Tomato Paste: For this recipe, you will need tomato paste.
  • Broth: I used beef broth, you can also use chicken or vegetable if thats what you have.
  • Macaroni: I used macaroni shaped noodles, but you can any shape you want, penne or rotini would work great too.
  • Cream Cheese: You can use regular or low-fat.
  • Milk: Any percentage of milk will work. You could also do half cream and half milk to make this recipe extra creamy.
  • Italian Seasoning: You will need an Italian seasoning blend, you can use a pre-made or make a homemade one.
  • Cheddar: You will need about 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Pasta, ground beef, cream cheese and seasoning.

Equipment Needed for Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

How to Make Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese

These are the basic steps for making Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipes. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

A skillet with the ground beef and seasoning in the pan.

STEP 1: COOK GROUND BEEF

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until they are no more pink remains, then add in the diced onion and minced garlic, cook for about 4 minutes until the onion is translucent.

STEP 2: ADD THE MACARONI

First add in the tomato paste and broth, stir until well distributed. Then add the macaroni and cover until fully cooked.

STEP 3: ADD THE CHEESE

Once the pasta is fully cooked, stir cream cheese, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, stir until cream cheese is melted. Then add in the shredded cheddar cheese and mix until that is fully melted.

Cooking the psta and adding the cream cheese to make the sauce.

STEP 4: SERVE HOMEMADE CHEESEBURGER MACARONI

Serve this recipe for cheeseburger macaroni with a garnish of parsley or serve Big Mac style (see expert tips section below).

Prep and Storage Tips for the Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME

To make this recipe ahead of time you can follow the steps as usual transfer to an aluminum tray and store in the fridge for 1-3 days. When you are ready to serve this, reheat in the oven covered at 350 degrees f for 15-20 minutes or until hot.

HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE

Store any leftovers in airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge.

HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE

To freeze cheeseburger macaroni recipes, store in aluminum tray with lid and freeze for up to 3 months.

HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE

If you are reheating an entire tray, heat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-20 until hot. If you are just reheating leftovers, microwave for 1-2 minutes in a microwave safe dish.

Frequently Asked Questions about Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni

HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE GLUTEN-FREE

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the regular macaroni for a gluten free version. Gluten-free or chickpea pasta will be just as tasty in your cheeseburger macaroni recipes.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE GROUND TURKEY IN PLACE OF GROUND BEEF?

You can swap ground turkey in place of ground beef in this macaroni cheeseburger recipe.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED OR HALVED?

This recipe can easily be doubled or halved, simply increase or decrease ingredients proportionally.

HOW DO YOU KEEP MAC AND CHEESE CREAMY?

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.

A spoonful of the Cheeseburger Macaroni.

Expert Tips for Making This Hamburger Macaroni Recipe

  • 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.

What to Serve with Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese

Did you try this recipe?
Click below to leave a review and rating!

Cheeseburger Macaroni on a checkered tablecloth.
5 from 6 votes

Cheeseburger Macaroni

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Cheeseburger Macaroni recipes will be approved by even your pickiest eaters. Perfect for hectic weeknights when you want a hearty dinner.
Print Pin Rate Save
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1 Small Onion, minced
  • 2-3 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 2 cups Broth
  • 3-4 cups Macaroni Noodles, uncooked
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • Salt and Pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 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.

Expert Tips

  • 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.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 804mg | Potassium: 579mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 511IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 356mg | Iron: 3mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!Follow Me: @ItsAKeeperBlog or tag #itisakeeper
Course: Brunch, dinner, Main Dish, Supper
Cuisine: American

Recipes You Might Have Missed

Leave a Comment

Rate this Recipe