Cheeseburger Mac
A classic, cheesy, one-pot meal. Serves 4.
Cheeseburger mac is one of those classic dinners many of us grew up with. It's quick, filling, and dependable. This from-scratch version keeps all the cozy, creamy flavor you remember, but skips the box and uses simple, easy to find ingredients instead. It’s a true one-pot meal, ideal for extended stay guests who want homestyle cooking without complicated prep or cleanup. Whether you're food-prepping for one or cooking for the whole family, you'll find this cheesy comfort meal both fun to make, plenty filling, and easy to make in your home away from home.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 diced onion
- 2 cups beef broth
- 8 oz small pasta (elbows, shells, or rotini)
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Brown the beef and onion. Preheat a large pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook until the beef is browned and fully crumbled and the onion is softened, about 6–8 minutes.
2. Add pasta and liquids. Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, milk, and uncooked pasta. Mix well to combine everything evenly.
3. Build the sauce and pasta. Add the pasta sauce, broth, and dry pasta to the skillet. Stir gently to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
4. Simmer. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Add the cheese. Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and creamy. Let it rest for 3–5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt fully.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Why you'll love this recipe
- It's a comfort food classic! You'll enjoy all the creamy, savory flavors of a boxed favorite, made in just one pot.
- Approachable ingredients and flavors that both kids and adults enjoy make it familiar and family-friendly.
- Both budget-conscious and filling with simple, affordable ingredients that stretch to feed four.
- It's also easy to customize! Add vegetables, adjust the cheese, or stir in condiments to make it taste just the way you like.
Extended stay cooking tips
1. Please be kind to the plumbing during your stay! Avoid pouring grease down the sink. Instead, carefully drain excess grease into a disposable container like a paper coffee cup, or absorb it with a paper towel and discard in the trash once cooled.
2. Swap your protein. Ground turkey or ground pork are often less expensive than beef and work just as well in this recipe. Use the more affordable option to keep your grocery bill down.
3. Use bullion instead of broth. Rather than purchasing a full carton of beef broth, dissolve a beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon of bouillon granules in 1 cup of hot water per cup of broth. Bouillon is inexpensive, shelf-stable, and easy to pack if you travel frequently.
4. Look for smaller pasta packages. Many grocery stores carry smaller bags of pasta in the international aisle. These can be a smart choice for extended stays when you don’t want leftovers taking up space.
5. Add a bagged salad kit to your meal. Pair your cheeseburger mac with a pre-made salad kit for a simple way to get a serving of veggies and turn it into a more balanced meal without extra prep work.