Why We Love This Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
Hey dudes! Do you remember those commercials with the high-fiving cartoon glove? If you were born in a certain generation, you most likely can recall the latch-key kid meal of the eighties and nineties, Hamburger Helper. This boxed pantry staple includes macaroni noodles and a pouch of powdered… Stuff. Just add ground beef and milk and BOOM you’ve got dinner ready in 20 minutes! Although the classic prepackaged meal was pretty good, this quick homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni copycat recipe is SO much better! Our cheesy, rich, savory cheeseburger mac and cheese recipe is just as easy to make as the original, without any questionable ingredients.
Easy Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
This cheeseburger mac and cheese recipe is a much more wholesome version of boxed Hamburger Helper, and is still made with simple pantry staples! It is super kid-friendly, with familiar comfort food ingredients that will make the whole family happy. Start to finish Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper takes only 20 minutes to make, and is a perfect dinner for busy weeknights. Plus, it is a classic one-pot meal, so cleanup is a breeze. Yay!
Ingredients You Need
Ground beef – 85% fat or leaner Tomato paste – for perfect zesty flavor Dijon mustard – adds a bit of bite Seasonings – garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt and pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper Macaroni pasta – or other small pasta shape, like small pasta shells Beef broth – or water combined with beef bouillon Half & half – to create the richest, creamiest base Shredded cheese – we use sharp cheddar (pre-shredded cheese is easiest but freshly grated tastes best)
How to Make the Best Cheeseburger Macaroni
You only need 20 minutes and one pot with a lid to make a crave-worthy easy Homemade Hamburger Helper recipe from scratch!
Recipe Variations
Pasta – Elbow macaroni is classic, but really you can use any small pasta. For noodles that hold on to the sauce well I suggest small pasta shells, penne, or rigatoni. Protein – This traditional recipe uses lean ground beef. Easily change up the protein with ground pork, ground turkey or ground chicken. Cheeses – Use basically any melty cheese you like here! Substitute or do half-and-half blends with shredded mild cheddar, Colby or Monterey jack, spicy pepper jack, mozzarella and/or parmesan, smoked gouda, or Gruyere. Gluten-free – Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta! Vegan and Vegetarian – Yup, this childhood favorite is even easy to make totally meatless! It includes a combination of plant-based pantry staples. Use your favorite meatless ground beef, veggie broth, and dairy-free cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Serve one pot cheeseburger macaroni and cheese warm with a bit more shredded cheese and a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley, if you like. I love to enjoy a hearty, heavy meal like this with a fresh and veggie-packed salad. Our Healthy Rainbow Chopped Salad and Lieutenant Dan’s Steakhouse Salad are super quick to put together as an easy and healthy side!
Looking for More One Pot Easy Dinner Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
Rustic Hungarian Goulash Recipe Parmesan Lemon Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe Easy Jambalaya Recipe Skillet Taco Calzone Pie Recipe One-Pot Sloppy Joe Casserole Recipe Carne Guisada con Papas Recipe Spicy Jollof Rice Recipe (West African) Creamy Chicken Tuscan Pasta Recipe
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