It doesn’t get easier than One Pot Cheeseburger Mac! Cheesy, creamy pasta with ground beef all cooked in one pot. Think Hamburger Helper but better!
This post originally published August 13, 2014. Updated April 1, 2021.
I’m big into one pot meals these days. Soccer season just started, 7-on-7 starts next week, science projects, standardized tests, etc etc etc. We never stop this time of year.
This and my One Pot Pizza Pasta have been staples in my house for years and I always bring them back when things get hectic.
One Pot Cheeseburger Mac is like your favorite Hamburger Helper pasta but better because there’s no powdered cheese or anything funky! Just cheesy, creamy pasta with ground beef all cooked in the same pot.
It’s ready in less than 30 minutes so it’s the perfect weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- Ground beef – you can use ground turkey, chicken, or whatever your favorite ground meat is
- Milk
- Small pasta – I love Skinner’s Large Elbows for recipes like this but you can use regular elbow macaroni, ditalini, rotini, penne, etc
- Cornstarch
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Granulated sugar
- Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet until cook completely; drain and return to pan
- Add water, milk, pasta, cornstarch, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and sugar; stir to combine
- Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until pasta is almost tender
- Stir in the cheese, recover, and simmer another 12 minutes
- Remove from heat and let stand about 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens a bit
How Long Is Cheeseburger Mac Good For?
Pasta dishes with meat will be good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Make sure to store them in an airtight container to keep it fresh for as long as possible. These glass containers with airtight lids are my favorite for pretty much all leftovers. They also make taking leftovers for lunch really easy!
Can You Freeze Pasta?
Yes, you can freeze pasta with ground beef! It will be fine in the freezer for about 3 months if stored in an airtight container.
I like to freeze pasta dishes in reusable ziploc bags because you can squeeze all the air out to ensure it stays fresh! You can also use regular disposable ziploc freezer bags.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
- Turkey Goulash
- Four Cheese Spaghetti
- Pasta with Shrimp and Rosa Sauce
- Parmesan Pasta with Bacon and Cheese
- Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese
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Cheeseburger Mac
It doesn't get easier than One Pot Cheeseburger Mac! Cheesy pasta with ground beef all cooked in one pot. Think Hamburger Helper but better!
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ½ cups small pasta
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet until it's completely cooked. Drain and return to pan.
- Add in water, milk, pasta, cornstarch, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and sugar; stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for about 10 minutes or until pasta is almost tender.
- Stir in the cheese, recover, and simmer another 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand about 5 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken as it stands.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 353Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 587mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 31g
Patricia+@+Grab+a+Plate says
Ooo! A few favorite dishes combined! This makes a really hearty dish! Love it and thanks for the good ideas :)
Catalina says
Pasta is always a favorite in our house! Everyone will love this recipe!
Michelle says
This really looks like the perfect easy weeknight meal! Looking forward to trying it.
Beti | easyweeknightrecipes says
This looks incredibly delicious! I can’t wait to try it!!
katerina @ diethood.com says
Such an amazing meal!! My family would love this!!
Erin+|+Dinners,Dishes+and+Dessert says
This One Pot Cheeseburger looks incredibly delicious!
Tara Teaspoon says
Chesseburger Mac is one of my go to recipes for when I want that filling and gooey dinner. I can’t wait to make this for dinner again.
Christi @ Love From The Oven says
Wow, that sounds like most of my days, and dinner conversations with my kids. My kids love to walk through the kitchen and loudly proclaim “I’m not going to try it!”. Rolls eyes and bangs head.
This looks great. Tonight my husband was mentioning how we haven’t had hamburger mac in about a decade (you know, like the age of picky eating child #1). Totally making this next week, “I’m not going to try it” can eat a bag of baby carrots for dinner. #sickofplainchicken
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Okay I feel like I already have those days (burn all the stuffed animals) and I only have one kid – I don’t know how you do three!! Also I’m totally cracking up over “I don’t like things made with water.” Hahaha!!! And this cheeseburger mac looks SO good! My husband would go nuts over this!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Why is that our kids like pushing our buttons? Do they also like the glaring eyes and monster mom that comes with that? That’s probably just me though! I think this cheesy goodness made with water looks amazing!!!! Hang in there mama! You got this!!!! :-) Pinned!
Kate @ Diethood says
LOLLLL!! Man… hahaha… I can’t stop laughing. :-D You just wrote out my story. :-D You know, the trouble maker is probably going to be the most FUN person, ever, when he grows up! Until then… good luck, Mama! ;-)
And, I’ll have his portion of this amazingness! Please and thank you!
Crystal | Apples & Sparkle says
Haha! That water comment! I can kind of relate to that, I have had to convince my kids on more than one occasion that water is essential for cooking! This recipe looks great, these types of dishes are so satisfying and sure to please.: )
Amanda says
I love everything about this, especially that it cooks in one pot!!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
We are starting our dance classes soon and I am already dreading it.. Kids sure do know how to push our buttons! Also, Dance Moms – oh yeah!
This cheeseburger mac needs to happen soon! Pinned!
Karly says
Water ruins everything. ;)
This looks amazing, watery or not. Ha!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh my gosh, your kid sounds like mine. They certainly know when to push our buttons, don’t they? They never think to be all mouthy when we’re in a good mood. :) I want this for dinner!
Maggie says
Thanks for sharing your story and It sounds like a lot of pressure! I’d definitely reward myself for a big bowl of those cheeseburger mac! Looks so yummy!