This made-from-scratch Hamburger Macaroni is better than the Hamburger Helper from the box, and is seriously so easy to make! It also reminds me of childhood, but with a homemade touch.
And what’s not to love about a one-pot meal? They are typically budget-friendly meals that use lots of pantry staples and make cleaning up a breeze!
You might have noticed this recipe just got a little upgrade! The original recipe from 2021 used 16oz. macaroni, and I just felt like it was overwhelming. I reduced the amount of pasta to 8oz. (half a box) and just added a few more seasonings, but don’t worry, it still has all the same great cheesy, beefy taste as the original!
If you’re a fan of one-pot meals, be sure to try my One Pot Boursin Pasta , One Pot Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta , or this One Pot Chicken and Rice Casserole .
Table Talk with Tawnie
Growing up, hamburger macaroni was one of those meals that showed up in our dinner rotation like clockwork. It was one of my mom’s go-to and definitely a favorite of mine. This homemade version is my take on the classic dish, but honestly so much better! And don’t worry! It’s still just as easy, and my kids gobble it up every single time!
Ingredient Notes
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- Ground beef: You could also use ground turkey or ground pork.
- Macaroni noodles: I used macaroni noodles, but you could also use spiral rotini noodles, penne, shells, or another short-tubed pasta you have in the pantry.
- Beef broth: You can also substitute for chicken broth.
- Cheddar cheese: I recommend using a good-quality cheddar cheese and grating it yourself instead of buying pre-shredded cheese. In my opinion, freshly shredded cheese melts a lot better.
Step by Step Directions
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
Cook the ground beef
Cook the beef and onions until the beef is no longer pink. Then add in the garlic, cornstarch, and spices and stir to combine.
Add sauce & pasta
Then add in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and stir. Once combined, whisk in the beef broth and the dry macaroni. Stir to combine, then bring to a boil. Once boiling, t urn down to a simmer, cover, and cook until the pasta is tender.
Add cream and cheese
Once the pasta is cooked, remove the lid and give the pasta a stir. Add the heavy cream and cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
Serve & enjoy!
Garnish with parsley, serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Add in extra veggies: Feel free to add in sliced mushrooms or diced red peppers when you add in the onions. It’s a great way to sneak in more veggies!
- Sour cream: I’ve also added in sour cream when stirring in the cheese at the end for an even creamier meal. Add in 1/2 cup to make it more decadent!
- Spice it up: Feel free to add in other seasonings like red pepper flakes, onion powder, chili powder, or garlic powder.
Variations / Substitutions
- Ground turkey: You can easily sub the ground beef for ground turkey or ground pork.
- Different cheeses: Like white cheddar cheese? Feel free to play around with the type of shredded cheese. You can also do a mix of any cheeses you need to use up!
Storage / Freezing
- Storage: Store this Hamburger Macaroni in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: I like the reheat leftovers on the stove and add a little milk to make it creamy again.
Do I need to cook the macaroni before adding it in?
No, the dry pasta gets added right into the recipe and cooks in the broth so you don’t have to boil the pasta beforehand!
Why did my pasta turn out mushy?
Make sure to not overcook the pasta in the broth. Cook the pasta just until al dente, especially if plan on having leftovers to reheat later.
shop this post
Large Stockpot
Ground Meat Chopper
What veggie might you add to this pasta?
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love
Chicken Fajita Pasta (One Pot)
French Onion Pasta
Easy Shell Pasta with Ground Turkey
One Pot Boursin Pasta
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
📸 Photos by Megan McKeehan of The Broke Girl Table
Hamburger Macaroni
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef or any other ground meat you prefer
- ½ white onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp. paprika
- ½ tsp. ground mustard
- salt and pepper to taste at least 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ cup ketchup or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire
- 8 oz. dry elbow macaroni
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, half & half, or whole milk
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded (from a block for best results, not bagged pre shredded)
Instructions
- Cook the beef: Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the beef and begin to break up with a wooden spoon. Add the onion and cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onions have softened, about 5-7 minutes. You can drain any excess grease, if preferred. 1 lb. ground beef, ½ white onion
- Garlic and seasonings: Add the garlic, and cook for ~1 minute. Then add in the cornstarch, Italian seasoning, paprika, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir to distribute the spices. 2 cloves garlic, 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, ½ tsp. paprika, ½ tsp. ground mustard, salt and pepper to taste
- Add ketchup & Worcestershire: Add in the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, stir to combine. ¼ cup ketchup or tomato sauce, 1 tsp. Worcestershire
- Add broth & dry pasta: Whisk in the beef broth, then pour in the dry macaroni. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil. 2 ½ cups beef broth, 8 oz. dry elbow macaroni
- Cover and cook: Turn the heat down to a simmer, cover, and cook for 9-11 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Add cream and cheese: Remove the lid and give the pasta a stir. Add the heavy cream, and gradually add in the cheese until it’s melty and incorporated in the pasta. Allow to rest for a few minutes, the sauce will thicken up. Taste and adjust, adding more salt, pepper, or chili flakes for a little spice. 1/2 cup heavy cream, half & half, or whole milk, 2 cups cheddar cheese
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnish with parsley if desired, and enjoy!
