Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet – Ditch the box mix Hamburger Helper and make this homemade version instead! Dinner is ready in minutes, with just a few pantry ingredients.
Easy dinners are a must most nights of the week. Everyone is busy these days, with different schedules and commutes and just lots of running around. So getting a homemade dinner on the table in about 20 minutes is exactly what you need!
This homemade cheeseburger macaroni will beat any box mix hamburger helper any day! And will take the same amount of time.
When I was a kid my mom always had a box of Hamburger Helper in the pantry. It wasn’t something we had often, unless we were camping. But it was there for nights when nothing was planned and she needed to get dinner on the table. Well, homemade hamburger helper is going stop you from buying that mix!
What You’ll Need
Yes, the list is longer than a box mix and a pound of ground beef. But that doesn’t meat it takes longer. You measure the spices while the meat is browning. So you still have dinner in 20 minutes.
- Ground Beef
- Pasta
- Cheddar Cheese
- Milk
- Water
- Cornstarch
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Sugar
- Salt & Pepper
Plus you get actual REAL CHEESE! No powdered fake stuff here.
How To Make Cheeseburger Macaroni
- In a large skillet brown the ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces. Drain any fat away.
- Mix together all of the spices and add to the ground beef once it is cooked.
- Pour in the water, milk, and pasta and stir until everything is combined.
- Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes until the pasta is tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese until it is melted.
- Let it stand for a couple minutes to thicken up before serving.
A piping hot, meaty, creamy, cheesy supper the kids and grown ups will love, and only 20 minutes worth of work. You will never go back to the box mix again!
What To Serve With Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Homemade Hamburger Helper Lasagna
- Taco Pasta Skillet
- Pierogies Sausage Skillet
- One Pan Chicken Spinach Alfredo
- Pork Lo Mein
- Creamy Beef Pasta
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet - Ditch the box mix Hamburger Helper and make this homemade version instead! Dinner is ready in minutes, with just a few pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Beef
- 1 1/2 cups Boiling Water, hot
- 2 cups Skim Milk
- 2 cups Elbow Macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Seasonings
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons Paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Onion Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet brown ground beef over medium high heat. Once cooked, drain any fat that remains.
- Mix together all of the seasonings in a small bowl. Add to the drained beef, stir to combine.
- Pour in hot water, milk, and pasta. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 - 12 minutes, or until pasta is cooked.
- Stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Remove from heat, and let stand for a few minute until the sauce thickens.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
5Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 518Total Fat 28gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 11gCholesterol 116mgSodium 985mgCarbohydrates 27gFiber 2gSugar 7gProtein 39g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.
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Christine at Cook the Story says
Comfort food in one pan?! Yes, please!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
The perfect quick and easy – and hearty! – dinner!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
This has to be a family favorite on your end. I know it would be on my end.
Erin S says
Making it again tonight, everyone loves it!
Terra says
I definitely need to make this recipe. I love the idea of homemade and not a box mix. Your recipe looks so delicious! Hugs, Terra
CakePants says
This looks fantastic! I actually didn’t really have Hamburger Helper much as a kid, but this recipe is totally my style – quick and hearty – thanks for sharing it! My parents quickly grew tired of packing my lunches when I was a child as well…so from the age of 7, I was put in charge of making my own lunch! The lunches I made were pretty monotonous and uninspired, I’ll admit, but it certainly made me more appreciative of whatever my mom cooked for dinner 🙂
Kim says
This was great! We ran out of hamburger helper and needed a quick meal, my husband loved this! I loved how simple it was and not with a lot of crazy ingredients. Had everything I needed right at home! Thanks so much!
Erin S says
So glad that you enjoyed it Kim!!
Ann says
I make a version of this during the winter months, it a staple in our house.
Kris says
I just made this tonight, delish! Definitely filled the nostalgic Hamburger Helper craving. My 3 year old and 4 year old both said they loved it, huge victory. The sauce ended up a bit on the thin side, I think I will scale back the liquid next time. Also I might try cooking a couple tablespoons of tomato paste in with the beef to give it just a bit more depth. Yum!
Kathy says
My husband liked it but it was a little on the bland side. I’ll be making a batch of the basic dry HH mix and try it with that. I think kids would love this dish since its not complex on flavor but for adults, it needs something.
Erin S says
We like to change up the meat and use spicy italian sausage or chorizo to add more flavor.
Seth B says
Love finding good one pan recipes! Especially ones that can help me replace box made hamburger helper! Really excited to try this one out, and probably over do it on the garlic, cause I love garlic!
Cheers! Thanks for posting Erin!
Cathy says
Such an easy & delicious go-to for weeknights!
Amanda says
This looks like a hearty comfort meal for me, I cannot wait to try it out!
Alex says
I can’t wait to try your homemade version!
Erin says
Such a great dish from my childhood! Yum!
Beth says
This looks amazing and so tasty! I can’t wait to give this a try! So excited!
Catalina says
This macaroni skillet looks amazingly delicious! A must try!
Sandra says
I’m definitely making it again next week! It was a huge hit last night!