Description
Discover the indulgent cheeseburger mac and cheese, a one-pan masterpiece that blends savory ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a luscious cheddar-milk sauce. This easy recipe delivers creamy texture, melty cheese, and hearty beef flavor, perfect for quick family dinners. Follow step-by-step instructions for perfectly cooked pasta, a rich sauce, and a golden cheesy crust that will satisfy both kids and adults alike. Rich, creamy sauce clings to each noodle, while beef adds hearty depth now!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, then drain excess fat.
- Add elbow macaroni and enough water to cover; cook until tender, about 8‑10 minutes.
- Stir in milk, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and shredded cheddar cheese; mix until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste; let the mixture heat through for a couple of minutes.
- Serve hot directly from the skillet, optionally garnished with extra cheese or parsley.
Notes
- For a richer sauce
- replace half of the milk with heavy cream. Add a pinch of smoked paprika for subtle heat. Leftovers reheat best with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: cheeseburger mac and cheese, easy mac and cheese recipe, beef mac and cheese, quick dinner ideas, comfort food pasta, family friendly meals, one pan dinner, cheesy pasta bake, weeknight dinner recipes