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One-Pot Creamy Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni (Better Than Boxed)

A spoonful of homemade hamburger helper being lifted from a bowl, showing melted, stretching cheese and ground beef.
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Make this creamy, cheesy, one-pot Cheeseburger Macaroni from scratch. It tastes better than the boxed version and is ready fast, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup milk (whole milk recommended for creaminess)
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or more cheddar)
  • 1/4 cup ketchup

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion softens, about 4 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the beef mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste.
  5. Pour in the beef broth and milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  6. Add the elbow macaroni to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
  7. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook until the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and ketchup until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an extra rich sauce, use 1/2 cup of heavy cream instead of 1/2 cup of the milk.
  • If the sauce is too thick after adding the cheese, add a splash more milk or broth until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Use high-CPC phrases like ‘Quick Ground Beef Dinners’ and ‘One Pot Cheesy Pasta’ when sharing this recipe online.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerycommand.com/homemade-hamburger-helper-recipe/