Are you ever searching for a midweek meal that the entire family will enjoy without a fuss? We’ve all had that moment, gazing into the refrigerator and hoping for a magical dinner that is both comforting and wonderfully easy to prepare. What if you could blend the classic, satisfying taste of a juicy cheeseburger with the creamy delight of macaroni and cheese, all cooked in a single pan? Well, you absolutely can! Allow us to introduce your new family favourite: the ultimate One Pot Cheeseburger Mac.

This recipe is a true lifesaver on busy evenings. It provides all the hearty, savoury, and cheesy flavours you’re craving, but without the daunting pile of washing up afterwards. We are talking about a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal that travels from your cupboard to the dinner table in roughly 30 minutes. It’s the kind of dish that puts smiles on faces and makes you feel like a culinary champion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pot Wonder: Everything is cooked in a single pan, which means minimal clean-up and maximum flavour. The pasta cooks right in the sauce, absorbing all that beefy, cheesy goodness.
• Family-Friendly Flavour: It’s essentially a cheeseburger in a bowl! This dish is a guaranteed hit with children and grown-ups alike, making it an ideal solution for even the fussiest of eaters.
• Quick & Easy: Ready to serve in around 30 minutes, this is one of our most trusted easy dinner recipes for those hectic weeknights when you’re short on time but still want a proper, home-cooked meal.
• Budget-Friendly: Created with simple, affordable ingredients like beef mince and pasta, this recipe is gentle on the purse strings without skimping on taste. It’s a brilliant way to make a pack of mince go further.
• Completely Customisable: Much like a real cheeseburger, you can add all your favourite toppings! Consider crispy bacon bits, diced gherkins, or a drizzle of your preferred burger sauce.

Ingredients

• 500g lean ground beef (beef mince)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250g dried macaroni or similar short pasta
• 700ml beef broth or stock
• 250ml whole milk
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp American-style mustard
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 250g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to Make The Best One Pot Cheeseburger Mac

We have crafted this recipe to be as straightforward as possible. By following these simple stages, you’ll have a bubbling pan of cheesy perfection ready in no time. The true secret lies in allowing the pasta to cook directly in the sauce, which makes it exceptionally flavourful and creamy.

Step 1: Brown the Beef and Aromatics

Place a large, deep frying pan or a Dutch oven over a medium-high heat. Add the beef mince and the chopped onion. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, breaking the meat apart with a wooden spoon, until the beef is nicely browned and the onion has softened. Achieving a good colour on the beef is key, as this builds a deep, savoury flavour foundation. For advice on cooking ground meat safely, you can always refer to the Food Standards Agency. Once it’s browned, carefully drain any excess fat from the pan. Add the minced garlic and continue to cook for another minute until it becomes aromatic.

Step 2: Create the Sauce and Cook the Pasta

Pour the beef broth and milk into the pan, making sure to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom—that’s where so much flavour is hiding! Stir in the tomato ketchup, mustard, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer. As soon as it’s bubbling, add the uncooked macaroni. Give everything a good stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is completely submerged in the liquid. This is the key to a flawless ground beef pasta, where every single noodle is infused with flavour.

Step 3: Simmer to Perfection

Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover the pan with a lid, and allow it to simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (cooked through but still has a slight bite). We suggest stirring it every few minutes to stop the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The liquid will reduce and transform into a lovely, rich sauce as the pasta cooks and releases its natural starches.

Step 4: Get Cheesy!

Once the pasta is perfectly cooked, take the pan off the heat. Now it’s time for the most exciting part! Gradually stir in the grated cheddar cheese, mixing continuously until it has melted into a smooth, glossy, and utterly irresistible creamy sauce. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. If you adore rich, comforting dishes, you might also like our recipe for a Classic Cottage Pie, another family favourite using ground beef.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Ladle your delicious One Pot Cheeseburger Mac into bowls. This is where you can get creative with toppings! We particularly enjoy a sprinkle of diced gherkins for that classic tangy crunch, some fresh parsley for a touch of colour, and a few toasted sesame seeds to nod to a burger bun. Serve straight away while it’s wonderfully hot and gooey.

Top Tips for the Perfect Cheeseburger Pasta

To guarantee your cheeseburger pasta is a resounding success every single time, we have a few extra tips and tricks to share.

• Use Freshly Grated Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is handy, it often contains anti-caking agents which can prevent it from melting smoothly. For the silkiest, most luscious cheese sauce, we always suggest grating a block of cheese yourself.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep a watchful eye on the pasta as it simmers. Cooking it to al dente is ideal, as it will soften a little more from the residual heat in the pan. Nobody enjoys mushy pasta!
• Choose the Right Pan: A wide, deep pan or a Dutch oven works best. You need enough surface area for the pasta to cook evenly and sufficient depth to hold all that tasty sauce without it boiling over.
• Let It Rest: After you’ve stirred in the cheese, allow the dish to stand for a couple of minutes off the heat. This helps the sauce to thicken up to the perfect consistency before serving.

What to Serve with Your One Pot Meal

The wonderful thing about one pot meals is that they are generally a complete dish in their own right. However, if you would like to serve a little something extra on the side, we recommend keeping things simple.

• A crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette.
• Steamed green beans or tenderstem broccoli.
• Warm, crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up every last drop of that cheesy sauce.

FAQ

A New Weeknight Favourite

This One Pot Cheeseburger Mac is far more than just a recipe; it’s a weeknight solution. It’s the perfect answer to the daily “What’s for dinner?” question. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, evoking memories of comforting childhood meals, and it’s a dish that genuinely brings the family together. It’s one of those wonderfully simple yet deeply satisfying meals, much like a cosy bowl of our Creamy Tomato Soup on a chilly day.

We are confident that once you give this recipe a try, it will become a firm fixture in your meal rotation. It just goes to show that you don’t need lots of time or a sink full of dirty pans to create something truly special.

Have you had a go at making our One Pot Cheeseburger Mac? We would be thrilled to hear how you got on! Please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to share your fantastic creations with us.

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 500g lean ground beef (beef mince)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 250g dried macaroni or similar short pasta
• 700ml beef broth or stock
• 250ml whole milk
• 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tbsp American-style mustard
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 250g mature cheddar cheese, grated
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and chopped onion for 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
2. Pour in the beef broth and milk, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the ketchup, mustard, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer.
3. Add the uncooked macaroni, stirring to ensure it’s submerged. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Remove the pan from the heat. Gradually stir in the grated cheddar cheese until it has completely melted into a smooth, creamy sauce.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with optional toppings like diced gherkins or fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving):
Calories: 806,
Carbs: 56 g,
Protein: 52 g,
Fat: 35 g