Cheeseburger Macaroni is a simple, homemade take on Hamburger Helper—ground beef and pasta cooked together in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. This one-skillet meal takes about 30 minutes and stretches a single pound of ground beef into a satisfying family dinner.
Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
I grew up eating the boxed version of Hamburger Helper, but this homemade version is far better. It’s made from scratch with basic pantry ingredients and gives you comforting, cheesy pasta without processed mixes.
This recipe is a great weeknight solution—one pot, minimal cleanup, and ready in about 30 minutes. It’s also a reliable way to stretch ground beef on busy evenings. My whole family loves it; picky eaters and kids tend to ask for seconds.
For a complete meal, stir in a cup of frozen peas during the last minutes of cooking, or serve the mac alongside roasted vegetables or a simple green salad.
Table of Contents
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
- Ingredients
- How to Make Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Helpful Tips
- How to Store and Reheat leftovers
- More Easy One Pot Ground Beef Recipes
- Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
All ingredients are common grocery items. Exact quantities appear in the recipe card below.
- Lean ground beef — you can substitute ground turkey or chicken, though flavor and fat content will vary.
- Low-sodium beef broth — or homemade broth; water or chicken broth can be used in a pinch.
- Worcestershire sauce — adds savory depth.
- Elbow macaroni — or any small short pasta; uncooked when added to the pan.
- Heavy whipping cream — for a silky cheese sauce.
- Shredded cheese — a mix of sharp cheddar and Colby Jack gives good flavor and creaminess. Grate from a block for best melting.
- Butter — enriches the sauce.
- Seasonings — sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried minced onion flakes, and smoked paprika for color and flavor.
How to Make Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
Begin by cooking the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces, until there’s no pink remaining. If desired, drain excess grease before continuing.
Season the browned beef with the minced onion flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika. Add the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, then stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni. Press the pasta below the surface so it’s submerged in the liquid.
Cover the skillet and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low, then whisk in the butter and heavy cream.
Gradually stir in the shredded cheese, about one cup at a time, until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If you prefer extra-cheesy pasta, add more cheese at the end and stir until melted.
Helpful Tips
Always grate your own cheese when possible; pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can change the texture when melted.
Taste and adjust seasoning—boxed mixes are often saltier, so you may need a little extra salt or pepper to match that flavor profile.
Use a large 10- or 12-inch skillet to prevent crowding. This recipe works just as well in a Dutch oven, large pot, or in an Instant Pot (for a pressure-cooker version).
How to Store and Reheat leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. You can freeze portions for up to 3 months—thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat single servings in the microwave and larger portions on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess.
More Easy One Pot Ground Beef Recipes
If you like one-pot ground beef meals, try other simple dishes such as one-pot creamy shells with beef, one-pot spaghetti and meat sauce, or a skillet lasagna. These recipes follow the same quick, family-friendly approach and are great for busy weeknights.
Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
- 3 tbsps butter
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Colby jack cheese
Instructions
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In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking up the meat as it cooks.
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Season with minced onion flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder and smoked paprika.
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Add the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
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Bring to a boil, add the uncooked macaroni, and stir so that it is submerged in the broth.
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Cover and cook until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally.
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Reduce heat to medium or medium-low, and stir in the butter and heavy cream.
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Stir in the cheese, 1 cup at a time, until melted. Simmer briefly until the sauce thickens.
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Serve immediately.
Notes
Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
Use a large 10- or 12-inch skillet to ensure the pasta cooks evenly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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