Hearty One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni for Busy Nights (Print Version)

Whip up this comforting One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni! A quick, cheesy, and satisfying meal your whole family will love, all in one pan.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 medium onion, chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
06 - 4 cups beef broth (low sodium)

→ Flavor Builders

07 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
08 - 1/4 cup ketchup
09 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

→ Cheesy Goodness

12 - 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
13 - 4 oz Velveeta, cubed (or 4 oz cream cheese)

→ Finishing Touches

14 - 1/2 cup whole milk
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven – this is your one-pot wonder, so make it count! Heat a splash of oil over medium-high heat. Toss in your ground beef and break it up with a spoon. You want it nicely browned, not just gray. This is where all that flavor starts, hon. Drain off most of the fat, but leave a little behind for flavor. Then, add your chopped onion and garlic. Sauté them until they're soft and fragrant, maybe 5-7 minutes. I love this part, the smell of garlic and onion cooking together is just *chef's kiss*.
02 - Once your aromatics are happy, pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, ketchup, and mustard. Give it a good stir, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that's called deglazing, and it's a flavor bomb! This step is where the sauce starts to come alive, a little tangy, a little savory. I once forgot to scrape and ended up with a slightly less flavorful sauce, oops. Make sure everything is well combined and bring it to a gentle simmer.
03 - Now for the star of the show: the elbow macaroni! Stir it right into the simmering liquid. Make sure it's mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender. Give it a stir every couple of minutes to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. I've had sticky situations before, trust me, stirring is your friend!
04 - Once the macaroni is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, it's time for the cheese! Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar and the Velveeta (or cream cheese) until everything is melted and gloriously creamy. This is the moment the One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni truly transforms into that comforting, gooey dish you're craving. Don't be shy with the stirring; you want all that cheese evenly distributed.
05 - Pour in the whole milk and stir it until the sauce is smooth and luscious. This mellows everything out and adds extra creaminess. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take it away! I always taste a little spoonful here to make sure it's just right. Adjust any seasonings as needed, maybe a tiny bit more mustard for a tangier kick?
06 - Let your beautiful One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni rest for about 5 minutes, uncovered. This allows the sauce to thicken up a bit more and the flavors to meld beautifully. The steam will waft up, smelling like home. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or some extra shredded cheddar if you're feeling fancy. Serve hot and watch it disappear! It should be creamy, cheesy, and bursting with that classic cheeseburger flavor – a true one-pot triumph.

# Notes:

01 - Always leave a little beef fat for extra flavor, trust me on this one.
02 - Leftovers are great, but add a splash of milk when reheating to keep it creamy.
03 - I've tried different pastas, but elbow macaroni truly gives the best texture for this dish.
04 - A side of dill pickles cuts through the richness and adds that perfect burger tang.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot or Dutch oven

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 550
Total Fat: 30g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 30g

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