BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
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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!
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.
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
Let’s get started!
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 and add the seasonings and flour.
Add the milk and beef broth and stir.
Stir in the macaroni.
Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until the macaroni is done. I prefer mine a little al dente and check after 9 minutes.
Add the cheese.
Stir until the cheese is melted.
For serving you can garnish it with a little chopped fresh parsley if you like.
Enjoy!
For a fun and tasty variation for autumn, try our Pumpkin Mac and Cheese!
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BEST Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
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
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet February 19, 2016
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Made this tonight and it is so good. Better than the box version I had as a kid years ago. I did sub in ground turkey and chicken broth but other than that everything else remained the same. This will be regular in my household.
Fantastic, Poppy, thank you!
This was such a crowd pleaser made with pantry items! I subbed ground turkey, turkey broth, and mozzarella because that is what I had on hand. This would have also been yummy if I omitted the paprika and chili powder and subbed 1-1 1/2 tsp of Italian seasoning (since I used mozzarella). I added some crushed red peppers to my bowl because I like a little bit of heat (some jalapeños cooked in would have been yummy too!). You really can’t go wrong with this recipe!
Great for busy nights – comes together very quickly) or using whatever you have available in your pantry/fridge. Thank you for this adaptable family friendly meal!
Fantastic, Laura, that sounds like a delicious variation, thanks for sharing!
I have been searching for a good hamburger helper recipe for a long time. Made this last night and OMG!!! It was soooo good. I did add diced peppers and sliced mushrooms, and of course a little extra cheese and my hubby has taken leftovers for lunch. He has already requested this to be on the menu at least once a week. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe with us all.
Yahooo! I’m so happy to hear that, Julia, thank you!
My kids devoured it. Boyfriend claimed there was too much cheese (never knew there was such a thing). Idk why someone said it costs too much.. Hamburger helper costs about 2, 2.50? Then you have to buy milk and ground beef too. I guess it would cost about.. 99 cents for pasta, 50 cents for tomato paste, 1.99 for cheese and a buck for beef boullion or stock.. I always have spices on hand and it costs a buck each to replace. So 3.50 or a lil more if you need spices. Anywhoo, just trying to prove a point that it really doesnt cost a whole bunch more than a buck, buck fifty to upgrade to hamburger helper made from scratch. Worth it in my eyes. Will be making again, with maybe just 1.5 cups of cheese next time.
Fantastic, Cena, thank you! I couldn’t agree more about the cost. And NO, there’s isn’t such a thing as too much cheese!! ;)
Just made this for my grandkids! THEY LOVED IT! 2 can not have cheese, so I left it on the side for the cheese lovers to add on own! We have a new Wednesday night tradition! Ty!!
Hoooray! I’m thrilled to hear it was a hit with your grandkids, Barbara, thank you!
Just made this for the family!! My kids liked it way better then the boxed stuff!! Thanks for the great quick recipe :)
Wonderful, Michelle, thank you!
I just found this recipe and I loved it!! It was also a hit for my 2 year old! Thank you! It sure hit the spot.
Fantastic, Crystal, thank you!
My daughter will not est any added sugar in her diet. We substituted ingredients without added sugar and wow this was awesome! To those that are complaining about the price of the ingredients if you’re trying to eat something more health-conscious go ahead and do it! This is a great recipe for a good meal for my family. Thank you
Thanks so much, Phil, I’m so glad it was a hit!