Description
Creamy, cheesy homemade cheeseburger macaroni that combines the flavors of your favorite burger with comforting pasta. This hearty one-pan meal is ready in under 30 minutes and is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp green Cholula® hot sauce
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 cups dry macaroni noodles
- ½ cup sour cream, plus more as desired
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Aromatics: In a large cast iron pan or skillet, add ground beef, onions and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and return the meat mixture to the pan.
- Add Seasonings and Thickener: Sprinkle all the seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes) evenly over the meat. Add the Cholula hot sauce and tomato paste, stirring to incorporate. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir well to coat the meat evenly, cooking for about 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids: Pour the milk and beef broth into the pan, stirring continuously to prevent any lumps from forming. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits that will add flavor to the sauce.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the dry macaroni noodles to the pan and stir to combine with the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, making sure all noodles are submerged in the liquid.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Cheese and Sour Cream: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and stir until completely melted and incorporated. Add the sour cream, stirring gently to create a creamy, rich sauce. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a healthier version, you can use lean ground beef or substitute ground turkey.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of milk.
- For extra flavor, try adding diced bell peppers or mushrooms with the onions.
- The dish can be customized with your favorite burger toppings like bacon bits, diced pickles, or sliced green onions as garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: One Pot & One Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 584
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 735mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 105mg