Hamburger Mac and Cheese Recipe
This comforting Hamburger Mac N Cheese recipe combines savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a rich, cheesy tomato sauce for a hearty, all-in-one dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Cooked entirely on the stovetop, it’s easy to prepare and full of flavor, featuring a blend of spices and melted mild cheddar cheese that creates a creamy, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ diced onion
- ½ cup diced peppers (red, green, and/or yellow)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
Liquids and Broth
- 2 cups beef broth (can substitute chicken broth)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 16 oz tomato sauce (2 cans)
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 10 oz pasta (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp parsley flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Cheese
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
Instructions
- Brown the meat and onion: In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion becomes translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Season the mixture: Add salt, pepper, paprika, and parsley flakes to the beef mixture, stirring well to distribute the spices evenly.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and whole milk. Stir to combine, then add the pasta to the pot.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook covered: Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Stir occasionally: Stir the pot every few minutes during cooking to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
- Add cheese: Once the pasta is cooked and liquid mostly absorbed, stir in the shredded mild cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
- Melt the cheese: Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to fully melt and the flavors to meld.
- Store leftovers: Transfer any leftovers to a sealed container and refrigerate for up to five days.
- Reheat leftovers: When reheating, add a splash of water to loosen the sauce and microwave on high for 1–2 minutes until hot. For extra cheesiness, add fresh cheese before serving.
Notes
- Using whole milk adds creaminess, but you can substitute with 2% milk for a lighter version.
- Be sure to stir occasionally during simmering to avoid pasta sticking or burning.
- Feel free to customize with different types of cheese such as sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend for varied flavors.
- The dish can be doubled easily for larger families or meal prep.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk or broth.
Keywords: hamburger mac and cheese, ground beef pasta, cheesy pasta recipe, quick family dinner, stovetop mac and cheese
Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/hamburger-mac-and-cheese-recipe/
