One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

If you’re looking for a quick, hearty dinner the whole family can enjoy, this One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni is an easy one to add to your weeknight rotation.

Ground beef, tender macaroni, tomatoes, and plenty of melted cheddar cheese come together in one pot for a homemade version of a classic comfort food. Even better, everything cooks together, which means less cleanup at the end of the night.

With just 10 minutes of prep and about 25 minutes of cooking, dinner can be on the table in around 35 minutes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 cups elbow macaroni
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Add the ground beef and diced onion to a large skillet or pot. Cook over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is tender. Drain any excess grease.
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Stir in the beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and elbow macaroni.
Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
Once the macaroni is tender, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

An Easy One-Pot Family Dinner

There’s something especially convenient about a dinner that can be made entirely in one skillet or pot. You don’t have to boil the pasta separately—the macaroni cooks right in the beef broth and tomato mixture, soaking up all that savory flavor along the way.

Once you stir in the cheddar cheese, everything comes together into a creamy, cheesy dinner that’s somewhere between homemade Hamburger Helper and a cheeseburger-inspired mac and cheese.

It’s simple comfort food that’s perfect for a busy weeknight.

Make It Your Own

This is an easy recipe to customize depending on what you already have in the refrigerator.

Try adding chopped bell peppers with the onion, stirring in a little extra cheese, or topping each bowl with diced green onions. If your family likes a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.

You could even add some classic cheeseburger toppings after cooking, like diced pickles or a small drizzle of ketchup or mustard.

What to Serve With Cheeseburger Macaroni

Since this is a hearty dinner on its own, simple sides work best. Serve it with steamed broccoli, green beans, a garden salad, or roasted vegetables.

And if you’re feeding hungry kids, a little garlic bread on the side probably won’t get any complaints either!

Quick Tip: Check the pasta a few minutes before the end of the cooking time. If it needs longer but most of the liquid has been absorbed, add a small splash of beef broth and continue simmering until the macaroni is tender.