Cheeseburger Macaroni – This is an absolutely delicious Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger “copycat” recipe. My take on the classic is even better and super easy to make! A kid friendly meal that is sure to satisfy the whole family!
Cheeseburger Macaroni is one of my absolute favorite go-to dinners. Not only is this recipe so easy to make but it is so yummy! This recipe will serve 4 people giving each person a nice portion. If you are cooking for a larger crowd, you can easily double this recipe.
We love to serve this pasta with homemade fresh bread or garlic bread. As a kid my mom would serve this simply with buttered bread. I’ll link a few of my favorite bread recipes to serve as a side with this dish for you below.
What ingredients do I need to make this recipe?
Elbow Macaroni – You’ll need about 8 oz. of elbow macaroni or equivalent to 1 1/2 cups. If you don’t have macaroni, you can use any short cut pasta.
Ground Beef – I used 85/15 fat ratio ground beef in this recipe. I recommend using 85% lean or leaner. If using a fattier amount, be sure to drain excess grease after beef is cooked.
Onion – You can use yellow, white or red onion in this recipe. All work great!
Garlic – I recommend using fresh garlic, but if you don’t have fresh substitute for 1 tsp garlic powder.
Sour Cream – Adds a delicious creaminess to the pasta. If you don’t have sour cream, you can use more cream cheese or plain greek yogurt.
Cream Cheese – Full fat or low fat cream cheese will both work well in this recipe. If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute for more sour creak or plain Greek yogurt
Mustard – I used yellow mustard in this recipe but you can also use dijon or grainy mustard as well.
Ketchup – Adds a nice sweetness and tomato flavor to the pasta.
Worcestershire – Adds a delicious flavor to the pasta.
Salt – I almost always use sea salt in my recipes. You can also use your favorite table salt.
Pepper – Fresh cracked black pepper or ground black pepper as well.
Chili Powder – If you don’t have chili powder on hand you can substitute for paprika in this recipe.
Water – This is used to cook the pasta making this a super easy one pot meal.
Fresh or Dried Parsley – This is an optional garnish.
What tools do I need?
- Dutch oven or large skillet with lid – To cook your pasta in.
- Wooden cooking spoon, or silicone spoon – To stir the pasta while cooking.
- Cutting board – For prepping the onions.
- Chef knife – For prepping the onions
- Measuring spoons and cups – To properly measure all of your ingredients.
How do I make homemade Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni from scratch?
Step 1: In a dutch oven or large skillet with lid, brown ground beef and onions. Add garlic and cook an additional minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Stir in salt, pepper, worcestershire, mustard, chili powder, ketchup.
Step 3: Add uncooked macaroni, water, cream cheese and sour cream. Bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes until macaroni is cooked, stirring halfway through.
Step 4: Remove pasta from heat and stir in cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Easy Bread Recipes to pair with pasta:
Rustic French Bread  – Dutch oven bread recipe you can easily make in the comfort of your home! There is nothing better than the smell of freshly baked bread. Serve homemade french bread sliced with warm butter or use as sandwich bread and more!
Easy Homemade Garlic Bread – Classic garlic bread recipe with one secret ingredient that places this garlic bread above the rest. Serve warm with your favorite pastas, salads and soups.
Texas Toast Garlic Bread – Warm, buttery and delicious thick cut garlic bread with a secret ingredient toasted to golden perfection. Serve hot with pastas, as a side dish, and more.
More Pasta Dishes you’ll love:
One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta – Easy flavor-packed one pot chicken parmesan pasta made simply with fresh herbs and melty mozzarella cheese. The best part about this comfort meal is that it is budget friendly, kid friendly and is so easy to make.
Southwest Chicken Alfredo – Creamy and delicious southwest style chicken pasta is the perfect easy dinner recipe. Made with seasoned pan seared chicken, onions, garlic and penne pasta tossed in a mouthwatering southwest style cream sauce.
Chipotle Macaroni and Cheese – Macaroni tossed in a cheesy chipotle sauce topped with buttery, crunchy breadcrumbs, finished with fresh chopped cilantro.
Chicken Parmesan – (Chicken Parmigiana) Crispy breaded baked chicken topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Serve over a bed of pasta with marinara sauce.
Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta – Fettuccine tossed in a creamy chipotle sauce with chicken, corn, diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.
Cheeseburger Macaroni
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups macaroni
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1/3 cup yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup cream cheese
- 1 1/2 tsp mustard
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp worcestershire
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 2 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried
Instructions
- In a dutch oven or large saucepan, brown ground beef and onions. Add garlic and cook an additional minute until fragrant.
- Stir in salt, pepper, worcestershire, mustard, chili powder, ketchup.
- Add uncooked macaroni, water, cream cheese and sour cream. Bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes until macaroni is cooked, stirring halfway through.
- Remove pasta from heat and stir in cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
This was delicious. Might have been operator error but I burnt the tar out of the bottom half by only stirring once. I’ll be more attentive in the future!
This is SO good! My 6 year old loved it too and gobbled up his dinner tonight! Will be adding this to my rotation of dinners!
Hi Stacy! Yay!! I’m so happy you both enjoyed it :)Amanda
This is so easy and delicious! I have made this several times in the last few weeks! I love it just as is, but my two year old prefers it with less Worcestershire.
Yum!! I’m so happy you and your family enjoyed this recipe! :)Amanda