Cheesy mac with ground beef is one of the most requested dinners in our house. A classic comfort food, the combination of cheesy pasta and beef is hard to beat.

 

I don’t know about your family, but mine never says no to mac and cheese. Throwing in some ground beef adds that extra oomph for a dish that kids and adults alike will devour!

This hamburger mac and cheese is an easy dinner recipe and a great way to use a pack of ground beef. It can be made in about 30 minutes from start to finish and is easy to customize to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Just a few ingredients are needed to make this cheeseburger macaroni recipe. It’s also easy to modify to your taste.

• Pasta – I like using a classic elbow macaroni noodles but you can substitute with small shells, rotini, or penne pasta.
• Ground beef – Lean ground beef works well for this recipe. You can substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken.
• Onion – You will need about 1/2 of a large onion.
• Garlic – 2-3 garlic cloves add delicious flavor. You can substitute with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have minced garlic.
• Tomato sauce – A can of tomato sauce adds another layer of flavor.
• Milk – Milk helps to make the cheesy sauce. You can use 2% or whole milk.
• Montreal seasoning – This seasoning is a great compliment to the beef.
• Worcestershire sauce – Helps to highlight the beefy flavor.
• Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese makes the cheese sauce. I recommend using freshly shredded cheese for the best taste.

How to make cheesy mac and cheese with ground beef

Here are the simple steps to make this meal. Check out the recipe card below for the printable recipe and video.

Step one – Start by boiling the pasta according to package directions. I recommend cooking to al dente so that the pasta holds up to the ground beef.

Step two – While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s browned, drain off any excess grease. Stir in Montreal seasoning, diced onion and garlic.

Step two – Stir in milk, tomato sauce, and shredded cheese.

Keep stirring until the cheese melts.

Step three – Stir the cooked pasta into the meat mixture. Stir to combine. Serve warm.

Additions and substitutions

Substitutions – The ground beef can be substituted with ground chicken, ground turkey, or ground bison.

Seasonings – Substitute the Montreal seasoning with taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, chili powder, or just salt and pepper.

Add-ins – Diced bell peppers, diced celery, or sliced mushrooms can be added in with the ground beef. You could also add in a can of diced green chiles or diced jalapenos for some heat.

Toppings – Try topping the completed dish with extra shredded cheese, diced green onions, fresh parsley, or hot sauce.

Casserole – You can make this meal into a casserole by spreading it out into a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with extra shredded cheese and bake in a 350 degree oven until the cheese has melted.

Heather’s tips for success

• Cook the pasta to al dente so that it holds up to the beef mixture.
• Try using freshly shredded cheese for the best texture and flavor.
• Make sure to drain off any excess grease after cooking the ground beef.

How to store leftovers and reheat

Package up any leftovers in an airtight container. Make sure to let the pasta cool to room temperature before packaging. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or on the stove until heated through.

This can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

What to serve with cheesy macaroni with ground beef

This meal is great with a simple salad or roasted vegetables. It’s also great served with a side of garlic bread or toast. If you are looking for something more, check out this list of the best mac and cheese side dishes.

More easy ground beef recipes

Simple recipes to make with a pack of ground beef.

• Ground beef enchiladas
• Ground beef and ramen noodles
• Cheesy ground beef and rice

If you make this cheesy mac with ground beef recipe, be sure to let me know in the comments.