Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese
This hamburger mac and cheese is a 30 minute skillet meal is the perfect fall comfort food – filled with pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, and so many great flavors, its something the whole family will love!
There are nights when dinner needs to be fast, filling, and familiar — and that doesn’t mean it has to be boring or boxed exactly as-is.
This cheeseburger macaroni and cheese is one of those recipes that meets families right where they are. It’s cozy, comforting, and recognizable for kids, but built up just enough to feel like a real, satisfying meal for everyone at the table.
It starts with something many of us already have on hand, like a box of mac and cheese, and turns it into a one-skillet dinner with ground beef, tomatoes, and a few simple seasonings. No tricks. No pretending it’s something it’s not. Just a smarter way to stretch a familiar favorite into something that works for a busy weeknight.
Familiar flavors aren’t a fallback.
They’re often the bridge that helps families eat together — happily.
Why this recipe works for real life
This is the kind of meal that shows up on long days, when everyone is hungry now and dinner needs to feel comforting, not complicated. It works because it’s:
- flexible enough to add variety over time, without pushing anyone past their comfort zone
- ready in about 30 minutes and made in a single skillet
- filling enough to count as a complete meal, with familiar flavors kids recognize
Try these other easy skillet meals:
How to make skillet hamburger macaroni and cheese
This recipe is simple to make! For the full set of directions, please scroll down to the recipe card below. This is just a general overview on how to make it to help you plan.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add some olive oil to the pan, and cook the onion and the ground beef until the meat is cooked through and the onion is soft, stirring occasionally. Drain any fat.
- Add in the milk, broth, noodles, paprika, garlic powder and the drained tomatoes.
- Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer until the noodles are done.
- Stir in the cheese pouches.
- Top with cheddar cheese and green onions.
- Serve and Enjoy!
A note on “doctoring” boxed mac and cheese
There are only so many times a week plain pasta works on its own, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using shortcuts when they help dinner happen.
Adding protein, a few vegetables, and extra seasoning is an easy way to turn boxed mac and cheese into something more balanced and satisfying, without starting from scratch.
This recipe isn’t about hiding vegetables or sneaking anything in.
It’s about building confidence — for kids and parents — by keeping flavors familiar and dependable.
If meals like this help your family feel fed, calm, and connected — without extra stress — you’re already doing important work around the table.
For busy, real life families
A gentle place to make meals feel easier
For parents who want to feed their families well without making things harder, join our free, low-pressure space beyond the blog. It’s a place for encouragement, simple ideas, and occasional fun freebies – shared slowly and thoughtfully.
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Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large 10 ” skillet over medium heat.
- Cook the onion and the ground beef until the meat is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Drain the fat.
- Add in the milk, broth, noodles, paprika, garlic powder and the drained tomatoes.
- Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and simmer for 9-12 minutes, or until the noodles are done.
- Stir in the cheese pouches.
- Top with cheddar cheese and green onions.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a general estimate and may vary based on ingredients, brands, and substitutions. For specific dietary needs, we recommend calculating nutrition using your preferred tool.
Wow – the the two together – my family could get enough for this meal!
An entire pot of hot mac and cheese is perfect with this foggy weather! Loved it!
Have a lovely week!
Gloria & Emanuele
This sounds so good!
This would make my boys so happy.
Looks great!
Annie's brand is one I actually don't mind buying. This is such a neat way to put a twist on shells and cheese.
I could eat this whole skillet!
Perfect quick meal. I think I'll add kale too 🙂
This looks gorgeous! And what awesome photos!
My family would love this for dinner!
I just know both my kids are going to go crazy for this! Beautiful photos on this post too, btw!
This looks delicious! Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese is my teen favorite food to eat. I'm going to check out Annie's products.
I totally agree! As a busy wife and mom I cannot always do it all! No one can! Great recipe!
I have bought that brand of cookies for the grandchildren, but have never tried the pasta. This looks like a tasty and easy weeknight dinner. Perfect for leftovers too.
This looks so good! Will definitely be making this for dinner tonight! Thank you for sharing!
I love this idea! It's still homemade but with a healthy short cut. Perfect for days when I don't have time to cook anything complicated. Thanks for the idea! Pinning for later 🙂
Love it, I've used bacon in macaroni cheese, and I've used smoked salmon but loving the idea of hamburger combo!
This is the ultimate mac and cheese – I love the idea of having mac and cheese with cheeseburger. Yum!
This looks fantastic – like an all in one, extra cheesy lasagne. I would so love a big bowlful!
What a great family dinner this recipe would make!
This looks so good! I love Annie's too!
This looks gorgeous! And the photos are amazing!
Oh my gosh, Jenni, these photos are on point! Love that you used Annie's for the recipe base. Can't wait to make this for Alex and I!
Yum! Looks wonderful!
That is creative!