Easy Cheeseburger Mac
Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this quick and delicious Easy Cheeseburger Mac recipe! Combining the savory flavors of juicy ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a velvety cheese sauce infused with a hint of ketchup and mustard, this one-pan dish delivers all the classic cheeseburger taste you love in a family-friendly pasta form. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, offering a hearty, satisfying meal that’s easy to make and packed with flavor. The creamy cheese sauce, seasoned with paprika and garlic, ensures every bite is irresistibly rich, while an optional garnish of parsley or green onions adds a fresh finishing touch. Ideal for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers, this homemade spin on a nostalgic classic will quickly become a go-to favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- optional garnish: chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.
Add the diced onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and paprika to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens. Remove the beef mixture from the skillet and set it aside.
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, creating a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps.
Let the milk mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and smooth.
Mix in the ketchup and mustard, stirring until well combined. Add the cooked beef mixture back to the skillet, stirring it into the cheese sauce.
Fold in the cooked macaroni until everything is evenly coated in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
870 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 52.0 g | 67% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.2 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 164 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 1021 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58.4 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.6 g | ||
| Protein | 45.2 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 581 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 4.8 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 558 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
