Description
Cheeseburger Macaroni is a quick and comforting one-pot meal featuring lean ground beef simmered with aromatic onions, tangy tomato-based sauce, and tender macaroni, all topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe delivers classic cheeseburger flavors in a hearty pasta dish ready in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth or beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- â…“ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Main Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups uncooked macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the broth, Dijon mustard, ketchup, tomato paste, garlic powder, and kosher salt until fully combined. Set the mixture aside.
- Brown Beef and Onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until the onions are softened and the beef is fully browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in the crushed red pepper flakes, then drain any excess grease from the pan. Return the pan to the heat.
- Add Sauce and Pasta: Stir the prepared sauce mixture briefly and pour it into the skillet with the beef. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the uncooked macaroni.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium and cover the skillet. Let the dish cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook until the macaroni is tender and has absorbed much of the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Once the macaroni is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted completely, about 1 minute. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness in the dish.
- Drain grease from the beef to avoid a greasy final dish.
- Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent macaroni from sticking to the pan.
- For extra spice, adjust crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Substitute with gluten-free macaroni to make the dish gluten-free.
