Description
Hearty one-pot cheeseburger mac & cheese combines classic comfort with bold flavors in a single skillet. Cheesy pasta mingles with savory ground beef, creating a quick and satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) onion, chopped
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Other:
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, ensuring no pink remains and draining any excess grease.
- Sauté chopped onions until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle garlic powder and introduce diced tomatoes, beef broth, milk, salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Add elbow macaroni and bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
- Remove from heat and gradually fold in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to thicken and flavors to meld together.
- Plate immediately and garnish with a light drizzle of mustard for an enhanced tangy flavor profile.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from ground beef to reduce greasiness and keep the dish lighter.
- Use lean ground beef (90/10 or 93/7) for a healthier version without sacrificing flavor.
- Replace regular milk with unsweetened almond or oat milk to make the dish dairy-friendly and lower in calories.
- Sprinkle crispy bacon bits or diced pickles on top for extra cheeseburger-inspired crunch and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg