Our Favourite One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe

Are you on the hunt for the ultimate weeknight meal that will satisfy everyone at the table, from the fussiest little eaters to the hungriest grown-ups, all without creating a pile of dishes? We know that feeling all too well—peering into the cupboards, hoping for a quick and comforting dinner solution. Picture the rich, savoury flavour of a classic cheeseburger melded with the creamy, comforting embrace of macaroni and cheese. Now, what if we told you it could all be made in just one pan? That’s the magic of our fantastic One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni.

This recipe is our go-to solution for those hectic evenings. It brings back a sense of nostalgia while using fresh, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about. Move over, boxed mixes; this is the ultimate homemade hamburger helper that truly delivers on taste, ease, and heartwarming satisfaction. In around 30 minutes, you can serve up a substantial, flavour-packed meal that will have the whole family coming back for more. Let’s get started and create something wonderful together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A True One-Pot Wonder: Every single step, from browning the beef mince to cooking the pasta, is done in one pan. This not only builds incredible layers of flavour but also makes the washing up remarkably quick and easy.
• Ultimate Comfort Food Mash-Up: We’ve combined two of the world’s most cherished dishes—the cheeseburger and macaroni cheese—to create a single, gloriously beefy and cheesy pasta that tastes both new and wonderfully familiar.
• Ready in 30 Minutes: We designed this recipe with busy schedules in mind. It’s a swift, straightforward meal that never sacrifices flavour, making it the perfect easy weeknight macaroni for any occasion.
• Family-Friendly and Approved: The simple yet deeply savoury flavours are a surefire winner for all ages. It’s a dependable and delightful kid friendly pasta dinner that you’ll want to make time and time again.
• Completely Customisable: This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your own culinary creativity. Why not add some hidden vegetables for a nutritional boost, dial up the heat with some chilli flakes, or use a different blend of cheeses?

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 500g Lean Beef Mince (Ground Beef)
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 250g Macaroni (or other short pasta)
• 900ml Beef Stock
• 400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 1 tbsp American Mustard or Dijon Mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 200g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

We’ve streamlined this recipe into five easy-to-follow steps. Cooking everything in one pot allows the pasta to soak up all the delicious, beefy flavours from the sauce, resulting in a truly exceptional dish. Follow our guide, and you’ll have a fantastic dinner ready in a flash.

1. Sauté the Aromatics and Brown the Mince

   Take a large, deep-sided frying pan or a Dutch oven and place it over a medium-high heat. Drizzle in the olive oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add your finely chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until it starts to soften. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant. Add the lean beef mince to the pan, using a wooden spoon to break it apart. Continue to cook for 5–7 minutes until the mince is browned all over. If there’s a lot of excess fat, carefully drain it away.

2. Build the Flavour Base

   Now it’s time to create that rich, savoury foundation. Add the tomato purée, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper directly to the browned mince. Stir everything together continuously for about a minute. This step toasts the spices and deepens the flavour of the purée, which is key to a delicious final result.

3. Add Liquids and Pasta

   Pour in the beef stock and the tin of chopped tomatoes. Give it all a good stir, making sure to scrape any flavourful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the entire mixture to a gentle simmer. As soon as you see bubbles, add the uncooked macaroni. Stir it through thoroughly to ensure all the pasta is completely submerged in the liquid.

4. Simmer to Perfection

   Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, place a lid on the pan, and cook for 10–12 minutes. The goal is to cook the pasta until it’s al dente. We find it helpful to give it a stir once or twice during this time to make sure nothing sticks. This is the secret to a perfect one pan beef pasta, as the starch from the pasta naturally thickens the sauce into a velvety consistency.

5. Make it Cheesy and Serve

   Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, take the pan off the heat. Sprinkle in about three-quarters of the grated cheddar cheese. Stir it energetically until the cheese melts completely, transforming the sauce into a smooth, glossy, and utterly irresistible coating. Let the macaroni rest for a minute or two, which will help the sauce thicken up even more. Serve piping hot, topped with the last of the cheese and a scattering of fresh parsley or chives.

Top Tips for Success

• Use Freshly Grated Cheese: We can’t recommend this enough! Pre-packaged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can result in a grainy sauce. Grating a block of mature cheddar yourself guarantees the smoothest, creamiest melt every time.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Be sure to check your macaroni as it cooks. You’re aiming for al dente, where it’s tender but still has a slight firmness. Bear in mind that it will soften a little more in the pan’s residual heat.
• Choose the Right Pan: For best results, use a wide, deep pan or a Dutch oven. This provides ample room for the ingredients to cook evenly and prevents the sauce from bubbling over.

Customisations and Variations

One of the greatest joys of this cheesy ground beef pasta is its versatility. We encourage you to play around with it! Here are some of our favourite ways to put a personal twist on the recipe.

Making it a Healthier Choice

• Leaner Protein: For a lighter meal, you can easily substitute the beef mince with lean turkey or chicken mince.
• Hidden Veggies: Finely grate a carrot or a courgette and add it in with the onion. The vegetables will disappear into the sauce, adding extra nutrients without anyone noticing!
• Wholewheat Pasta: Swap the standard macaroni for a wholewheat version to increase the fibre content of the dish.

Flavour Boosters

• Add a Kick: If you enjoy a bit of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a few drops of hot sauce added with the seasonings will do the trick nicely.

– Bacon Makes Everything Better: For an extra layer of flavour and texture, top the finished dish with crispy, crumbled bacon just before serving.
– Classic Burger Toppings: Turn it into a fun, interactive meal by setting out bowls of chopped dill pickles, fresh tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. Everyone can then build their own “burger bowl”!

What to Serve with Your Cheeseburger Macaroni

This dish is certainly a satisfying meal on its own, but a simple side dish can elevate it further. We often pair it with a crisp green salad to provide a fresh contrast to the creamy richness. This Classic House Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette works wonderfully. If you’re looking for another comforting beef and pasta recipe, you may also love our Parmesan Garlic Beef Bowtie Pasta. And for ultimate comfort, a side of warm garlic bread is always a fantastic choice for soaking up every last drop of that cheesy sauce.

FAQ

Mastering One-Pot Meals

The true genius of one-pot cooking is its blend of simplicity and efficiency, which is why this recipe is one of our favourites. The starches released by the pasta as it cooks are the magic ingredient, creating a naturally thick and creamy sauce without needing any extra thickeners like cornflour. All the ingredients cook together, allowing their flavours to meld and infuse the pasta in a way that just isn’t possible when cooking things separately. For more fantastic tips on perfecting your one-pot dishes, we suggest this guide on how to make the perfect one-pot from BBC Good Food.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Dinner

And there we have it—a comforting, hearty, and incredibly tasty One Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni that we’re sure will become a regular feature in your weekly meal plan. It’s the perfect example of how you can create a special and deeply satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen or facing a mountain of washing up. This recipe is big on flavour and even bigger on convenience, making it an ideal dinner for any family.

So, the next time you’re in need of a quick and crowd-pleasing meal, we truly hope you’ll give this one a go. We’re confident that you and your loved ones will adore it. We’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and a rating below, or even better, share a picture of your dish and tag us on social media. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 500g Lean Beef Mince (Ground Beef)
• 1 large Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 250g Macaroni (or other short pasta)
• 900ml Beef Stock
• 400g tin Chopped Tomatoes
• 2 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 1 tbsp American Mustard or Dijon Mustard
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 200g Mature Cheddar Cheese, grated
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large, deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
2. Add the beef mince to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned all over. Carefully drain off any excess fat.
3. Stir in the tomato purée, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
4. Pour in the beef stock and chopped tomatoes, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
5. Add the uncooked macaroni and stir well to ensure it is fully submerged in the liquid.
6. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir once or twice to prevent sticking.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in three-quarters of the grated cheddar cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Let it rest for a minute to thicken, then serve hot, topped with the remaining cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: —, Carbs: — g, Protein: — g, Fat: — g