Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet with Ground Beef
One-pan cheeseburger macaroni combines seasoned ground beef, elbow noodles, and beef broth simmered until tender, then finished with milk, sour cream, and sharp cheddar for a creamy, cheesy comfort dish. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 12 ounces elbow noodles, uncooked
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded off the block
Instructions
- 1
Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain excess grease and return beef to the pan.
- 2
Add tomato paste, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, elbow noodles, and broth. Stir to combine.
- 3
Cover the pan and cook until noodles are al dente, about 7-10 minutes.
- 4
Remove the lid. Add milk, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
Tips
Drain excess beef fat before adding other ingredients to control richness.
Shred cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded for better melting and creaminess.
Stir occasionally during the final cooking step to prevent sticking on the pan bottom.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with additional broth or milk to restore creaminess.
Prepare through step 2, cover, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Add 1-2 minutes to cooking time when using cold ingredients.
Serve warm directly from the skillet. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip draining the ground beef to avoid an overly greasy, separated sauce.
Do not add cheese before removing the lid to prevent scorching and uneven melting.
Do not overcook noodles before adding liquid to avoid mushiness in the final dish.