Description
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni is a cheesy, hearty, one-pan dinner that’s quick, easy, and perfect for family nights. This from-scratch version uses real ingredients for a rich, creamy, and flavorful meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp avocado oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 ½ tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp all-purpose flour (or 1 tbsp cornstarch for gluten-free)
2 cups whole milk
1 ¾ cups beef broth
2 cups whole wheat elbow macaroni (or gluten-free macaroni)
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
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Brown the Beef – Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains, breaking it apart with a spoon.
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Add Onion – Stir in the finely chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
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Season & Thicken – Mix in tomato paste, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, sugar, chili powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir well.
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Create the Sauce – Slowly pour in the milk and beef broth, stirring to combine.
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Cook the Pasta – Add the macaroni and bring everything to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes (check for al dente at 9 minutes).
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Add the Cheese – Once pasta is cooked, stir in shredded Cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy.
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Serve & Enjoy – Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for the smoothest melt.
Swap beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Add veggies like bell peppers, peas, or spinach for extra nutrition.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 565
- Sugar: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Protein: 31g