Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper

Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper

By: Terri Bionda Jacobs

I don't like boxed or canned meals, but when they're the home made version they're pretty good, and this one's so easy!

Servings: 8 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cook time: 12 minutes 

Stand time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 cup hot water
2 cups milk
1 ½ cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, or a blend of your favorites (plus more for topping, if desired)

Sauce "Packet"(includes the ingredients below)

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Directions

1. Brown ground beef or turkey on Stove Top High. Drain. (I usually don't have to drain when using turkey)
2. Add hot water, milk, pasta and "sauce packet" ingredients.
3. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.
4. In the last few minutes of cook time, add cheese, stir and re-cover.
5. When pasta is tender and cheese is melted, turn off heat and uncover.
6. Let stand about 5 minutes. Sauce will thicken as it stands. I like to add a little ground pepper at this time.
7. Top with additional cheese if you'd like.

Variations:

-For a spicier flavor, use Mexican cheese blend, or add some taco seasoning.
-For a buffalo twist, add ¼ cup of buffalo or hot sauce, and substitute ¼ - ½ cup blue cheese for the cheddar.
-Add crumbled bacon, because bacon makes EVERYTHING better!
-Use mozzarella cheese and add pepperoni or sausage for a pizza spin
-Add veggies to make yourself feel like you're eating healthy comfort food

Super Easy Spaghetti & Meatballs!!! Ninja Cooking System

When I say this is SUPER EASY, I am not kidding.  So easy even I can do it. This is going to be everyones favorite go to recipe. The possibilities are endless with the type of pasta, sauce, meatballs or ground beef.  We have made this several times for sending a gift of food to friends in need. This makes so much food it can feed an army.

I really hope you enjoy it and let me know how you made it in the comments.


Did you use a different sauce, alfredo, Cheese, etc?  How did it turn out?

Easy Meaty Mac And Cheese Dinner - Ninja Cooking System

I will be honest. I didn't think that this recipe would turn out to be much. I though, eh.. its just like the spaghetti recipe.  It's too easy.  It cant be that good.  Well, I was wrong.  This turned out delicious.  I am wrong quite often, my wife can vouch for that.  : )   So, she wasn't surprised when it turned out great.  Anyway, we both loved it, and our 19 month old daughter loved it as well.  I highly recommend this recipe.  Don't let the simplicity of the recipe fool you.  Try it and let me know what you think.  Thanks. - Mitch