This Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni is a quick, one-pot dinner that’s ready in about 30 minutes. It has all the creamy, cheesy flavor of the boxed version, but is made with simple ingredients you already have on hand.
It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s budget-friendly, filling, and always a hit with the whole family.
Jump to:
- Why you’ll love this homemade cheeseburger macaroni recipe
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes
- How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Recipe Notes
- What Can You Add to Cheeseburger Macaroni?
- Storage & Reheating
- Try These One-Pot Pasta Recipes Next
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni (One-Pot, 30 Minutes)
Why you’ll love this homemade cheeseburger macaroni recipe
- One pot, minimal cleanup
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Creamy, cheesy, and family-approved
- Budget-friendly and filling
Love this cheeseburger macaroni? You’ll find more easy ground beef dinners in my 15 Easy Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner, or browse my one-pan dinners for more quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Ingredient Notes
- Ground Beef: Use lean ground beef (like 90/10 or 93/7). Drain excess grease if needed. Ground turkey or chicken can be used if you prefer.
- Macaroni: Elbow macaroni works best, but any small pasta will work.
- Milk: Whole or 2% both work well.
- Cheese: Freshly grated melts best, but pre-shredded works in a pinch.
- Ketchup: Adds classic cheeseburger flavor without needing tomato sauce.
- Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce.
- Spices: Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
This easy one-pot cheeseburger macaroni comes together in just a few simple steps:
- In a large skillet (one that has a lid) cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned.
- While the meat cooks mix the corn starch and spices together in a small bowl.
- When the ground beef is browned, add the water, ketchup, and spice mixture, stirring to combine.
- Add the milk and pasta, reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick.
- When the pasta is cooked al dente, or to your liking, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted.
- Let stand about 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken.
This is what it will look like after the liquid and spices are added.
This is what it looks like after simmering, before adding the cheese.
Recipe Notes
- Browning the ground beef takes about 5 minutes on medium heat on my stove. If yours runs cooler, you may need medium-high. Adjust the heat as needed to maintain a steady simmer.
- You can add the corn starch and spices right into the pan but I like to mix them in a small bowl first. This helps to get any lumps out of the cornstarch. Plus, I can measure them out while the meat browns and just dump them all in at once.
- If you don’t have a lid, you can still cook this in a skillet, but it may take longer for the pasta to soften and the liquid to absorb.
What Can You Add to Cheeseburger Macaroni?
You can easily customize cheeseburger macaroni with extra ingredients for more flavor, texture, or a little kick. Try adding:
- onions – adds a little texture and flavor
- garlic – for an extra punch of flavor
- bacon – adds smoky flavor
- tomatoes – for fresh flavor
- hot sauce – adds a little kick
- mustard – adds a bit of tang
- sour cream – makes it extra creamy
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover cheeseburger macaroni in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
We warm ours in the microwave by covering it with the plastic cover we have, or a paper towel, for about a minute and a half, taking it out to stir it about half way.
It heats up great and tastes just as good the next day as it does the day we make it.
Try These One-Pot Pasta Recipes Next
If you love easy one-pot meals like this cheeseburger macaroni, here are a few more quick and family-friendly pasta recipes to try next:
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Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni (One-Pot, 30 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 cups macaroni
- 2 cups cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet (one that has a lid) cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. If you don't use lean ground beef you will need to drain the fat off.1 pound ground beef
- While the meat cooks mix the corn starch and spices together in a small bowl.1 tablespoon corn starch, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- When the ground beef is brown add the water, ketchup, and spice mixture stirring to combine.2 cups water, 1 tablespoon ketchup
- Add the milk and pasta, reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick.1 ½ cups milk, 2 cups macaroni
- When the pasta is cooked al dente, or to your liking, add the shredded cheese and stir until melted.2 cups cheese
- Let stand about 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.