My Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni is a delicious one pot dinner the whole family will love! Ground beef and pasta are cooked in a simple cheese sauce this hearty skillet dinner is always a crowd pleaser. Perfect for busy weeknights the easy dinner recipe is ready in 30 minutes.
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Growing up my parents often used boxed meals to make dinner for three hungry kids and cheeseburger macaroni was one of our favorites. My homemade version has all of the nostalgic flavors of that classic box but the taste is next level using ground beef, fresh onion, plenty of spices and lots of sharp cheddar cheese. For more great one pot dinner recipes take a look at my Gnocchi Bolognese, Spinach and Artichoke Orzo with Chicken Meatballs and Creamy Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas.
Cooking Tips
- You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken in place of the ground beef if that’s what you prefer
- Similarly you can also use beef broth in place of the chicken broth if that’s what you have on hand
- In order to make this recipe gluten free use your favorite gluten free elbow pasta along with using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in place of the the all purpose flour
- I always recommend freshly shredding your cheese from a block for the best results.Bags of pre-shredded cheese have an anti-caking ingredient that can affect how the cheese melts.
- To complete this dish even more I usually stir in vegetables in the last few minutes of cooking. My favorites include spinach, brocolli and green peas.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Ground beef
- Tomato paste
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- All purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Chicken broth
- Elbow macaroni
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
How to Make Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
This homemade cheeseburger macaroni recipe couldn’t be easier to make and is perfect for those nights you need to get a heart dinner on the table ASAP.Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the diced onions and cook for 4-5 minutes or until translucent. Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, using a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller pieces.
To amp up the flavor stir in the tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and then pour in the milk and broth. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni making sure the pasta is covered by the cooking liquid.
Bring to a slow boil and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to al dente. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it’s fully melted and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve as desired.
Storage
Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also freeze cheezeburger macaroni in an airtight container or freezer safe ziptop bag for up to 2 months.
If you like this Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni be sure to take a look at some of my other recipes!
Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
If you make this Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a 5 star rating! Be sure to follow me on Youtube, Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making!
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablepoons all purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the diced onions and cook for 4-5 minutes or until translucent. Brown the ground beef until no longer pink, using a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller pieces.
- Stir in the tomato paste, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and then pour in the milk and broth. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni making sure the pasta is covered by the cooking liquid.
- Bring to a slow boil and cook for 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to al dente. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese until it's fully melted and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve as desired.
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Brianna Simmons says
This is one of my husband’s favorite dinners!