Looking for a quick and delicious dinner option? Try this Velveeta Hamburger Helper (Cheeseburger Macaroni) recipe. It's an easy one-pot meal that you can have ready in just 20 minutes, perfect for those busy nights. This recipe combines the creamy, cheesy goodness of Velveeta with hearty hamburger, creating a comforting and satisfying dish that everyone will love.
So whether you are a professional chef or new to the world of home cooking, you will love how easy this cheeseburger macaroni is to make. You will even love how easy it is to make this recipe your own. Add some veggies, experiment with different seasonings, and even try different cheeses.
Get ready to learn all about this comfort food classic and how you can make this Velveeta Hamburger Helper Recipe all your own.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
Velveeta Cheeseburger Macaroni is a beloved classic that has stood the test of time for several reasons.
Its simplicity and accessibility make it a favorite for busy weeknight dinners and those moments when you crave comfort food without an elaborate cooking process.
The combination of pasta, ground beef, and a rich cheese sauce satisfies both kids and adults alike, making it a family-friendly choice.
Additionally, the versatility of this dish is noteworthy. It serves as a canvas for creative adaptations, accommodating various dietary needs and taste preferences. Whether you're a meat lover, a vegetarian, or a vegan, this recipe can be tailored to suit your culinary inclinations.
Furthermore, the creamy, velvety cheese sauce melds harmoniously with the savory, seasoned ground beef, while the pasta adds a comforting, hearty base.
Ultimately, the wide appeal of Velveeta Cheeseburger Macaroni is a testament to its ability to provide a comforting, satisfying meal that's quick and easy to prepare, customizable to individual tastes, and consistently delicious, making it a timeless favorite in the realm of comfort food
Ingredients
Velveeta Cheese:
Velveeta Cheese is an easy way to create a creamy cheese sauce for your hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni. However, there are alternatives that you can use if you don't want to use Velveeta cheese in your dish. Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Colby, Gouda, Swiss, and cream cheeses can all make a delicious and creamy cheese sauce for your meal. If you want to make your dish vegan by using any dairy-free cheese, cashew cream, or nutritional yeast.
Ground Beef:
You can use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a healthier twist. For a meat-free version, plant-based ground "meat", tempeh, black beans, lentils, tofu, chickpeas, or quinoa all make excellent meat substitutes.
Elbow Macaroni:
While this recipe uses elbow macaroni, you can get creative and try making cheeseburger macaroni with different types of pasta. Select a shape that holds the cheese sauce well, such as shells, bow ties, or rotini. Cook the pasta until it's al dente for the best texture. This recipe also lends itself to gluten-free pasta should you need to adjust for any dietary restrictions.
Seasonings:
The seasonings in this recipe are very simple but you can feel free to experiment with different seasonings in this Velveeta cheeseburger macaroni recipe. Add some paprika or cayenne for some added heat, or take it a bit more savory with some cumin or curry powder.
How to Make Cheeseburger Macaroni
Step One:
Brown your ground beef over medium heat.
Step Two:
Add tomato paste, salt, garlic powder, pepper, onion flakes, and corn flour. Stir to combine.
Step Three:
Mix in macaroni and broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
Step Four:
Stir the Velveeta cheese into the mixture until the cubes have melted.
Step Five:
Top with cilantro, serve, and enjoy!
Tips
- You can enhance the nutritional value of the recipe by adding vegetables like diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or onions. Sauté them with the ground beef for added flavor.
- When adding the cheese, cut it into small cubes and add it gradually, stirring until it's fully melted. This ensures a creamy, lump-free cheese sauce. If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Add toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped scallions, or pickles for extra flavor and texture.
What to Serve With Velveeta Hamburger Helper
Velveeta Cheeseburger Macaroni is a hearty and indulgent dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes to create a well-rounded and satisfying meal. To complement its rich, cheesy goodness, consider serving it with a crisp, fresh garden salad featuring a light lemon vinaigrette. Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add a touch of healthiness to the plate. For those looking for a classic side, a serving of buttery garlic bread can provide the perfect vehicle for sopping up any leftover cheese sauce.
Looking for more ideas? Check out What To Serve With Mac And Cheese for 14 delicious side dishes.
FAQs
Any tips for reducing the sodium content of this dish for those with dietary restrictions?
Velveeta cheese is very high in sodium, so if you are on a low-sodium diet, you can replace Velveeta cheese with cheddar or mozzarella to drastically reduce the sodium content. You can also add vegetables, which will help further dilute the sodium in the recipe. Also, consider draining your beef once it has been browned to remove any excess salt and fat from the dish.
Is it possible to prepare cheeseburger macaroni recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
You can absolutely prepare your hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. However, it doesn't necessarily make it easier as this recipe is already a one-pot meal. If you do choose to make it in either of these appliances, ensure you don't add the cheese until the very end, giving it 5-10 minutes to melt.
How long can leftovers be kept fresh?
While this recipe is best served hot and fresh, you can still store leftovers. However, the texture of the cheese sauce may change once cooled and reheated. When stored in an airtight container, the leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for long-term storage up to 3 months. For the best results, reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stovetop until an internal temperature of 165F is reached.
Similar Recipes
If you're craving more easy pasta goodness, be sure to check out our collection of more macaroni recipes, from classic homemade macaroni salad to inventive variations like mac and cheese pizza.
Velveeta Hamburger Helper - Cheeseburger Macaroni
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup tomato paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon corn flour
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1 cup beef broth
- 8 ounces Velveeta Cheese cubed
Instructions
- Brown your ground beef over medium heat.
- Add tomato paste, salt, garlic powder, pepper, onion flakes, and corn flour. Stir to combine.
- Mix in macaroni and broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
- Stir the Velveeta cheese into the mixture until the cubes have melted.
- Top with cilantro, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- You can enhance the nutritional value of the cheeseburger macaroni by adding vegetables like diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or onions. Sauté them with the ground beef for added flavor.
- When adding the cheese, cut it into small cubes and add it gradually, stirring until it's fully melted. This ensures a creamy, lump-free cheese sauce. If the cheese sauce is too thick, add a little milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Add toppings like crispy bacon bits, chopped scallions, or pickles for extra flavor and texture.