Cheese and Hamburger Macaroni

4.3
(162)
130 Reviews
45 Photos

Homemade macaroni and beef version of Hamburger Helper — just as easy and tastes so much better! You will need a large skillet with a tight fitting lid.

Submitted by macandjakesmom
Updated on November 14, 2024
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
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very close up on a spoonful of cheese and hamburger macaroni
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
4
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • ½ pound lean ground beef, or more to taste

  • ½ small onion, minced

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • 2 cups water

  • 2 cups elbow macaroni

  • 8 ounces reduced-fat processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), cut into small pieces

  • 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream, or more to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    All ingredients measured out in glass bowls shot overhead

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in the hot skillet until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease.

    Ground beef cooking in a skillet looking brown and crumb-like

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Increase heat to high. Add water to ground beef mixture in the skillet. Cover and bring to a boil. Stir macaroni into boiling water-ground beef mixture. Cover, lower heat to medium, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir, cover, and continue cooking until macaroni is tender, about 5 minutes.

    Water has been added to the ground beef in the skillet as well as macaroni

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Stir processed cheese food into ground beef-macaroni mixture until melted. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.

    Blocks of cheese has been added to the skillet with the macaroni and ground beef

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tips

For a Mexican-inspired version, add 1 tablespoon cumin and 2 teaspoons chili powder to ground beef as it cooks. Serve with chopped lettuce, tomato, and salsa.

If you're in a hurry, you may use dehydrated onion instead of fresh and add more onion powder.

571 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

449 Calories
15g Fat
48g Carbs
28g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 449
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 39%
Cholesterol 61mg 20%
Sodium 930mg 40%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 17%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 28g 56%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 352mg 27%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 468mg 10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.