The Daring Gourmet

Grappling Each Dish By The Horns

Sign up for our newsletter!
No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop

Home » Food » By Country or Region » North America » America » BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni

BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni

August 26, 2023 by Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet · 364 Comments

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure policy.

15272 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

This homemade cheeseburger macaroni recipe is made with whole, clean ingredients, tastes better than the boxed stuff and is ready in 20 minutes!  It’s both a family favorite and a favorite among our readers.  We’re confident you’ll love it as much as we do!

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

Sometimes it’s those simple comforts that hit the spot best.

I grew up in health-conscious home where things like Hamburger Helper were only served on very rare occasions.  And I’m grateful for a mom who took the time to cook healthy, wholesome meals for her family.  I now do the same.  But on those rare occasions we certainly enjoyed those quick, less-than-healthy meals.  Let’s face it, they taste pretty good.  I specifically recollect those moments of eating Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni and Tuna Casserole.  Probably because it was so infrequent.

So here is a version of it you can eat and enjoy without any worry about of the nasty ingredients that typically accompany pre-prepared foods.

Like this ingredient list below from Hamburger Helper’s Cheeseburger Macaroni – you don’t have to worry about any of those items I’ve emphasized in bold:

“Enriched Macaroni (wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Corn Starch, Salt, Enriched Flour (wheat flour, niacin, iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Sugar, Ricotta Cheese* (whey, milkfat, lactic acid, salt), Tomato*, Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Paprika, Spice, Color (yellow lakes 5 & 6, yellows 5 & 6), Mono and Diglycerides, Cheddar Cheese* (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Yeast Extract, Enzyme Modified Blue Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Cream, Whey, Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), Butter Oil, Nonfat Milk, Blue Cheese* (milk, salt, cheese cultures, enzymes), Sodium Caseinate, Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Caseinate, Enzymes.*Dried”

Now compare that with our ingredient list:

“Macaroni, beef, onions, tomatoes, avocado oil, spices, sugar, flour, milk, beef broth, cheddar cheese”

And that’s including the out-of-box ingredients of beef, milk and broth.

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

With a clean list of ingredients you can feel good about what you’re feeding your family.  Our kids love this cheeseburger macaroni and I don’t have to worry about what’s in it.

Ready for the table in 20 minutes, there simply is NO good reason to every buy the packaged stuff again!

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

Let’s get started!

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef until no pink remains.

browning ground beef

Add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

cook onions

Stir in the tomato paste and add the seasonings and flour.

adding seasonings

Add the milk and beef broth and stir.

adding liquids

Stir in the macaroni.

adding pasta

Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low.

bringing everything to a boil

Cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until the macaroni is done.  I prefer mine a little al dente and check after 9 minutes.

covering skillet with a lid

Add the cheese.

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

Stir until the cheese is melted.

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

For serving you can garnish it with a little chopped fresh parsley if you like.

Enjoy!

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade hamburger helper copycat

For a fun and tasty variation for autumn, try our Pumpkin Mac and Cheese!

 

cheeseburger macaroni recipe homemade from scratch hamburger helper copycat

BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni

Kimberly Killebrew
No junk ingredients and tastes WAY better than store-bought!
Print Recipe
4.78 from 167 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 565 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 small onion , finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour (Gluten Free: dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in the beef broth)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 3/4 cup quality beef broth
  • 2 cups dried whole wheat elbow macaroni pasta
  • (Gluten Free: Use GF Macaroni)
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef until no pink remains. Add the onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, seasonings and flour. Pour in the milk and broth and stir. Stir in the macaroni. Bring to a boil then reduce to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until the macaroni is done. For al dente check after 9 minutes. Stir in the Cheddar cheese until melted.
    Serve immediately garnished with some chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 905mg | Potassium: 685mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 925IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 398mg | Iron: 3.4mg
Keyword Cheeseburger Macaroni
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet February 19, 2016

 

 

15272 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

364 Comments →

« Thai Lettuce Wraps
BEST Mushroom Gravy »

364 Responses

  1. Savannah S. says

    May 21, 2023 at 3:08 pm

    I found your recipe after a request for “beef with macaroni” from my son for dinner. I only had ground chicken and chicken stock on hand so I used that in place of the beef from your recipe but followed everything else and it was delicious. Thanks so much(:

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      May 21, 2023 at 3:18 pm

      Fantastic, Savannah, thank you so much for the feedback!

      Reply
  2. Meg says

    April 30, 2023 at 1:41 pm

    I have made this recipe as written many many time and it’s always fantastic! It does taste almost exactly like the boxed hamburger helper I grew up with but without all the added chemicals! I have frozen leftovers in the past with good success as long as it is completely cooled before you freeze it, thaw in the fridge overnight, and add a little water to it when reheating. I’ve microwaved it right in the container too once thawed when I’m at work. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      April 30, 2023 at 3:32 pm

      Thank you so much, Meg, I thrilled this has become a regular and thank you also for the feedback on freezing!

      Reply
  3. Nita says

    April 19, 2023 at 8:27 pm

    Wow my husband and I have devoured the homemade hamburger helper, cheeseburger macaroni, twice now. Great homemade taste didn’t alter recipe, which is something I usually do to most recipes. Will def try on some of your other recipes! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      April 20, 2023 at 5:57 am

      Thank you so much, Nita, I’m happy you both you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  4. Sonja Evans says

    March 26, 2023 at 8:55 pm

    I needed a recipe for dinner to make for my husband and a friend of ours, who had just come back from a 24 hour sailboat race, in cold weather off the West Coast. They were tired and cold. This was quick, delicious comfort food for two hungry sailors, and me – with a salad it was a perfect meal!

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      March 27, 2023 at 9:57 am

      Thank you so much, Sonja, I’m so glad this hit the spot!

      Reply
  5. Debra Ann Hansley says

    March 7, 2023 at 5:05 pm

    First of all, I absolutely love that you respond to your comments. That is so appreciated! This recipe is awesome and loved by my family. I tried this after a busy day. I did not feel like making sides, so I added fresh spinach before the cheese, to make it a one pot meal. A classic from childhood with a twist=)

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      March 9, 2023 at 5:17 pm

      Thank you, Debra, I’m thrilled it was a family hit! And great move adding the spinach, I love it!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        August 30, 2023 at 8:20 pm

        I used to love this recipe, so much so that I have it saved on the home screen of my phone. However I went to make it tonight and it seemed like there were quite a few things that were different this time. I thought I was losing it but I’m like 99% sure I’m not. Did you recently change/update this recipe? I do like the recipe now but I loved the old one. Unless I’m somehow losing my mind and it’s been the same since you uploaded it. I’m pregnant so that’s definitely a possibility haha.

        Reply
        • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

          September 1, 2023 at 6:33 pm

          Hi Jennifer, I just took a look and no, I didn’t alter anything, it’s the same as it’s always been. Speaking for myself during my pregnancies, I definitely wouldn’t discount that as a possibility either, lol! :) The good news is this too shall pass and you will one day be back to enjoying this as much as you once did! :)

          Reply
« Older Comments

Add your Response Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

Sign up for our newsletter!

Receive the latest from The Daring Gourmet!

No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • About
  • Request
  • Contact
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · The Daring Gourmet · All Rights Reserved

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop

FREE EMAIL BONUS

REVEALED!

My Favorite Recipes

Get my latest FREE recipes
Straight to Your Inbox