Okay, this Macaroni Cheeseburger recipe is wildly good. I’m talking comfort food meets fast food in the best way possible. It’s creamy, cheesy, beefy, and yep somehow it really does taste like an actual cheeseburger. I’ve made this for dinner when I couldn’t decide between a burger or mac and cheese. Problem solved. It’s also one of those crowd-pleaser dishes that makes people go “wait, what’s in this?” in a good way.
Method
1.Sauté the Base Flavors
Start by placing a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of oil, then toss in the diced onion and halved cherry tomatoes. Let them cook for a few minutes until the onions become soft and slightly golden. Next, add the beef mince. Break it up with your spoon and stir everything together. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked through, with no pink bits remaining.
2.Build the Cheeseburger Sauce
Once the meat is cooked, it’s time to bring in the flavor. Stir in the garlic (I like using @verylazyfooduk garlic for ease), followed by the tomato purée, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well so the beef gets coated in all that tasty goodness. Then, pour in the passata and crumble in the beef stock cube. Sprinkle in the paprika, mixed herbs, and season with salt and pepper to your taste. Stir it all together and let it simmer gently on low heat for about 10 minutes. This helps the sauce thicken and gives the flavors time to blend.
3.Boil the Pasta
While your sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then toss in your macaroni. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, but stop just before it turns fully soft you want it to stay slightly firm (al dente). That way, it won’t go mushy when mixed with the sauce later. Once done, drain the pasta using a colander.
4.Combine Sauce and Pasta
With your sauce nicely thickened and your pasta drained, it’s time to combine everything. Add the cooked macaroni into the pan with the beefy cheeseburger sauce. Stir it all together so the pasta gets fully coated in the meaty mix.
5.Add the Cheese
Now for the best part cheese! Tear up your cheesy slices (I use burger cheese for that classic flavor) and drop them into the pan. Stir everything well for about a minute until the cheese has melted and turned the mixture gooey, creamy, and totally irresistible.
6.Time to Serve
Spoon your Macaroni Cheeseburger into bowls and serve it piping hot. I love topping mine with some fresh chopped spring onions and serving it alongside a crisp salad and peas. It’s comforting, fun, and tastes just like a cheeseburger in mac form.
Necessary Tools
- Large frying pan or skillet
- Big pot for boiling pasta
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Sharp knife + chopping board
- Measuring spoons
- Colander
MACARONI CHEESEBURGER – The Best of Both Worlds!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
500g 5% fat beef mince
375g macaroni
1 onion, diced
5 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tsp garlic (I used @verylazyfooduk garlic)
2 tbsp tomato purée
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
350g passata
1 beef stock cube
Salt + pepper to taste
½ tbsp paprika
½ tbsp mixed herbs
3 cheesy slices (like burger cheese)
Directions
- In a large pan, fry your diced onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and beef mince until everything is soft and cooked through.
- Now add the garlic, tomato purée, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, passata, stock cube, herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir it up and let it simmer on low heat for around 10 minutes.
- While that’s bubbling away, boil your macaroni until just tender. Don’t overcook it still needs a little bite.
- Drain the pasta and toss it into the beefy sauce pan.
- Add the cheesy slices and stir everything together for a minute until it’s all gooey and glorious.
- Serve hot! I love topping mine with spring onions and having it with salad and peas on the side.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta it keeps cooking once it hits the hot sauce
- Add the cheese slices right at the end so they melt perfectly
- If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of the pasta water to loosen it
- Simmer gently! A rolling boil might dry out your sauce
Serving Suggestions
- Top with crispy bacon bits or fried onions for crunch
- Add pickles or gherkins if you’re a true cheeseburger fan
- Serve with a simple green salad or some roasted veggies
- Want more cheese? Add a sprinkle of grated cheddar before serving
Fun Fact
Cheeseburger macaroni is actually a nostalgic dish for a lot of people it’s like grown-up Hamburger Helper (if you know, you know). But homemade and way better.
Conclusion
If you love cheeseburgers and mac & cheese (and who doesn’t?), this recipe is basically your dream in a bowl. It’s quick, hearty, and loaded with flavor. Plus, it’s one of those meals that feels like a hug. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this Macaroni Cheeseburger is a weeknight winner you’ll want to make again and again.
