Cheeseburger Macaroni

The perk of this cheeseburger macaroni recipe is that you don’t have to coordinate two pots, and there’s no pasta to salt, simmer and drain. Just toss the uncooked macaroni into the meaty broth and let it absorb the emerging flavors as everything cooks.

This is a great dish to prepare if you’re both hungry and impatient. Ready in around 20 minutes, it’s meaty, creamy, cheesy and lightly spicy. It’s also one of those comforting dishes that returns with even greater panache on day two, once the flavors have had time to deepen.

Ingredients for Cheeseburger Macaroni

• Ground beef: Using 90% lean ground beef in this recipe will give you the flavor without the fat.
• Elbow macaroni: Use uncooked whole wheat pasta for its firmness and slightly nutty taste.
• Beef broth: Choose a reduced-sodium beef broth, or make your own homemade beef broth.
• Milk: Fat-free milk will still give this homemade cheeseburger macaroni a creamy texture without loading on the calories.
• Ketchup: This gives a burst of sweetness and that background tomato flavor.
• Montreal steak seasoning: We’re using Montreal steak seasoning for its paprika smokiness and subtle heat, but you can substitute it with your own homemade steak seasoning.
• Mustard: Use a prepared mustard of your choice, whether hot English or mellow Dijon mustard.
• Onion powder: This will bring out the depth of the ground beef and lend the sauce an aromatic element.
• Cheddar cheese: Keep things simple with a pre-shredded cheese, reduced-fat if possible.
• Minced chives: Minced chives add a flourish of color and herby flavor on top of the finished dish.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the ground beef

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat for six to eight minutes, until it’s no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain off the excess liquid and fat.

Editor’s Tip: Let the beef sit in the hot skillet for the first few minutes without moving so that it develops a tasty savory crispiness on the bottom.

Step 2: Finish cooking the remaining ingredients

Stir in the uncooked macaroni, beef broth, milk, ketchup, Montreal steak seasoning, mustard and onion powder. Bring the mix to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the macaroni is tender. Stir in the shredded cheese until it’s melted. Sprinkle the dish with chives before serving.

Cheeseburger Macaroni Variations

• Thicken the sauce: For a creamy, unctuous consistency, you can add a little heavy cream or flour toward the end of cooking, to thicken the broth.
• Add onions: If the idea of beef without onions makes you uneasy, toss some diced onions into the ground beef in Step 1.
• Try it with tomato paste: Do you like your ground beef with a fuller tomato flavor? Stir in some tomato paste in addition to the ketchup.

How to Store Cheeseburger Macaroni

You can store leftover cheeseburger macaroni in a covered container for two to three days in the refrigerator. It’s a comforting dish to come back to during the week. Just reheat it in the microwave and enjoy it again.

Can you freeze cheeseburger macaroni?

This cheeseburger macaroni recipe is great for meal-prepping. It will freeze for up to three months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight and reheat it in the microwave. Just bear in mind that the pasta won’t be as firm, and you might want to re-top it with shredded cheese.

Cheeseburger Macaroni Tips

What can you serve with cheeseburger macaroni?

This simple one-skillet meal is all you need on its own, but you can serve it with a fresh leafy salad or garlic bread. Because it’s quite heavy, a light tomato or cucumber salad gives a good balance.

What other cheeses can I use for cheeseburger macaroni?

Cheddar has a relatively neutral flavor, but if you really want to taste the cheese in this recipe, upgrade to a sharp, tangy cheese like pepper jack or Colby. If it’s a creamy texture you’re looking for, break off hunks of mozzarella cheese so you have pockets of melted cheese in each bite.

Are there any alternatives to beef for this cheeseburger macaroni recipe?

You’ll get a similar nutritional value with ground turkey, although the flavor is less intense. You might want to turn up the seasoning a notch to compensate, and you should use chicken broth rather than beef broth.

How can you make cheeseburger macaroni your own?

Cheeseburger-inspired recipes are always a hit with both kids and adults. Make this cheeseburger macaroni your own by swapping in your favorite shredded cheese like Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar or Swiss. If you love pickles, they’d also be a smart addition to make this dish taste even more like cheeseburgers. A sprinkle of cooked crumbled bacon wouldn’t hurt either!