A childhood favourite made from scratch, this homemade cheeseburger macaroni recipe is delicious, comforting and super easy to make right in the Instant Pot!
Before I go onto this easy cheeseburger macaroni recipe I have to share a little story.
So I was gone from civilization earlier this week. Yep, Dawn was off the grid.
What did I do?
I left the house without my phone.
No phone for the entire day (i.e. also known as my idea of living on the wild side).
Tragic, right?
Okay, not really, but you don’t realize how much you rely, reach for or depend (not sure if that’s the right word) on something until you don’t have.
I was seriously catching myself throughout the day reaching for my phone with no phone to be had.
I felt naked.
Anyone else ever forget their phone and felt so lost?? Anyway, when I got my phone in my little hands again everything felt right. Ha! It was like that song Reunited. LOL!!
Truth be told, it was probably a good thing. We all spend too much time with our face in our phones anyway, don’t we?
Onto this delicious ground beef Instant Pot recipe, shall we?
Love macaroni recipes? Try this creamy stove-top mac and cheese!
Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
Know those boxed hamburger meals? The ones with the cute little hand character on the front of the package? Basically, you add a little meat and milk to the box mix and way to go.
I loved that growing up! Well, this is a homemade version, but better! There’s no powdered flavour packets and it tastes absolutely delicious!
How to Make this Recipe
Full details on how to make this homemade cheeseburger macaroni recipe are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In Instant Pot, cook onion and garlic in olive oil using the ‘Sauté’ setting.
- Add beef, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and tomato paste to the Instant Pot. Cook until meat is no longer pink and fully cooked through.
- Next add broth and dried pasta.
- Cover and lock Instant Pot, set to ‘Seal’ and pressure cook on high for just 5 minutes
- Once time is up, carefully quick release pressure. Once pressure valve goes down, carefully unlock and stir in cheese, allowing it to melt and get all gooey and delish.
- If you opt to use creme fraiche, stir that in (or you could use sour cream).
- Enjoy (and try not to eat straight from the pot like me, hehehe).
Oh, and no judgement, but I sometimes have cheeseburger mac and cheese with ketchup. Some habits die hard.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, you could also garnish with some chopped parsley, green onion or chives. Use what you enjoy best!
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If you’re licking your screen right now, I understand, LOL.
Recipe Tips
This homemade hamburger helper recipe calls for one cup of shredded cheese. It’s kinda difficult to measure one cup of cheese because, like flour, for example, the quantity could vary depending on how well it’s stuffed into the cup; feel me? It works out to be about 4 ounces or 120 grams or about ¼ of a one-pound block of cheese. If you like things extra cheesy, feel free to add more.
Speaking of cheese, I’ve made this with both cheddar and mozzarella (and sometimes a combo of the two). Just pick whatever you enjoy as long as it’s a good melting cheese.
Don’t have or prefer to use another type of protein? Try ground turkey or chicken.
Like things more spicy? Add more hot sauce or cayenne. Like less spicy? Omit or add less.
The sauce will thicken further as it stands.
Macaroni noodles were used here because it’s traditional for this recipe. However, if you’d rather try something else, use a similarly sized pasta.
More Comfort Recipes
Hope you love this cheeseburger macaroni recipe as much as we do!
Stay tuned for another tasty ground beef recipe coming your way shortly.
If you make this easy cheeseburger mac and cheese recipe, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe (in the Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion , peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- ½ pound lean ground beef (about 227 grams or 8 ounces)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (use your favourite. I used Sriracha)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 ounces dried macaroni noodles (about 2 cups)
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 4 ounces shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (about 1 cup (or try a combo of both))
- ¼ cup creme fraiche (or full-fat sour cream, optional)
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to 'Sauté'.Note: Settings may vary on your Instant Pot, depending on the model. Please refer to the manufacturer's guide on how to use your Instant Pot.
- Adjust the [+] or [-] button to set the timer to 12 minutes.
- Add oil and, when hot, add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes. Add beef, salt, black pepper, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and tomato paste. Stir. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up beef into crumbles (smaller pieces), until beef is fully cooked through, about 8 minutes. If there is any time left on the timer, press 'Cancel'. Stir in pasta and broth.
- Close and lock lid. Set the vent on the lid to 'Sealing' (steam valve in closed position). Ensure you follow the manufacturer's guide for closing and locking the lid.
- Set Instant Pot to 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' (high setting) button (depending on which model you have). Adjust the [+] or [-] button to set the timer to 5 minutes (it will take roughly 5 minutes to come to pressure before the Instant Pot starts to count down the 5 minutes cook time).
- After the pressure cook cycle is up, follow the manufacturer's guide for Quick Release and wait until the Quick Release cycle is complete. Unlock and remove lid, being careful of any remaining steam (ensure you follow the manufacturer's guide for unlocking and removing the lid).
- Stir in cheese. Let sit 3 to 4 minutes until cheese melts. Stir in creme fraiche or sour cream (if using). Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- The sauce will thicken further as it stands.
- Macaroni noodles were used here because it’s traditional for this recipe. However, if you’d rather try something else, use a similarly sized pasta.
- Ensure you are familiar with the manufacturer recommended operating instructions and know how to properly/safely use your Instant Pot (or any kitchen appliance/device/tool you are using).
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Sabrina
Yum, although I thought of my kids immediately, the ingredients and pictures made my mouth water too. I much prefer this homemade version to the boxed version. A perfect weeknight meal or for a night off the grid with family 😉 thanks!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thank you Sabrina 🙂
Elaine
Looks delicious, Dawn! Warm and comforting!! I had my iPhone along with credit card, debit card and driver’s licence stolen on a tiny island in the Caribbean. Talk about panic and feeling naked! No phone, no cards, no camera!!! Luckily, the Coast Guard and some honest locals tracked down the thief and everything was returned to me the following day. I learned my lesson about carrying credit cards in my phone case!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Oh noooooo!! Glad you got everything back…that must have been terrifying!! Happy you like the recipe, Elaine! Thank you 🙂
Colleen
Homemade is always the best, and this cheeseburger macaroni looks so delicious, I just want to grab a fork and dig right in. I’ll be making this for sure!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Hope you love it, Colleen! Thanks 🙂
Valentina
Yes! I feel that way without my phone, too. And I must admit, I sorta enjoy it. 🙂 I also remember a time before my phone, that I felt naked without my wrist watch. 😀
This recipe sounds so comforting and tasty. My grandmother used to make a similar recipe, so it’s a childhood favorite of mine too!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Haha…so true! Thank you Valentina 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Love re-creating childhood favourites, and I love even more that you made this in the instant pot! As for your cell phone story, I’m with you. My phone is attached to me. I’ve even turned the car around to go back home and get it! I think that’s a sign that I should probably go off the grid for a day or two!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol…happy to hear I’m not the only one 😉 Thanks Leanne!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Absolutely perfect comfort food! And loving that it’s so easy to make in the instant pot, too. Can’t wait to enjoy a bowl of this one 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jennifer! Hope you love it as much as we do 🙂
mimi rippee
This is so smart. It’s kid and adult friendly, but with ingredients you chose, versus all of those chemicals or whatever is in the boxed stuff. Ew. I remember my husband telling me about it after we had kids and I might have tried it once. But then, I’d make my version, season it my way, use whole-grain noodles, and voila!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Mimi! It is quite delicious!! Nothing like homemade, right?
David @ Spiced
I hear ya on the phone thing, It’s crazy! But as strange as it sounds, I sometimes like to “lose” my phone…especially on the weekends. I feel like I’ll sit on my phone too much if I have it around, so I like to just stick it on the kitchen countertop and go about my day. Eh, call me strange!
Anyways, this cheeseburger mac is a classic! Talk about comfort food central right here. We often make a batch of this one in the slow cooker, but I’ve never tried an Instant Pot. High five for this recipe! I bet this would be especially tasty with a cold beer, right? 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Makes total sense! And I bet so relaxing!! Thank you David…definitely would be perfect with a cold beer 😉 Have a great weekend too!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Aaah Dawn! I’ve only gone “off the grid” once or twice and it is TOUGH. I totally feel your pain. But it is also a little nice, isn’t it!? This dish is also more than a little nice. Totally something my kids would be alllll over!!! Combining two of our favourite dishes in one! I love it! Have a great weekend my friend! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol, right?! Hope you guys get to try it out soon! THanks Katherine 🙂 XO
[email protected]
Now I’m hungry! Wow that looks delish!! Have a great weekend, my friend! XOXO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I can totally understand why 😉 Thank you Annie! You too!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
Ooooo comfort to the max! I loved hamburger helper growing up – but I gotta say this definitely beats it out! I love that it’s made with REAL ingredients and real food and not just those flavor packets like you said! Also…Lol’ed about the phone! It would be SO hard and kind of scary to not have my phone all day! What if I needed someone?! Maybe I should give it a try…anyway, great recipe as always Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Thank you very much, Haylie! Have a great weekend 🙂
Milena
I actually love phone-less days! I think those are the ones when I feel happiest, the only thing is that they are so rare. This cheeseburger macaroni on the other hand looks really good. Fall has returned in Colorado, it has been raining all week and comforting meals are so welcome! Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I guess it could be freeing, that’s for sure! Thank you Milena! Fingers crossed for nice weather soon 🙂
Kelly | Foodtasia
OMG Dawn! Your pictures are awesome! I am so licking the screen right now!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Kelly!!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I want to grab a fork and dig right in Dawn! This would be a hit with my whole family. Pinned and will be trying soon! Happy weekend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I hear ya!! Thank you Mary Ann! Have a lovely weekend too 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I left my phone at home when I went to Pilates a few weeks ago. I’d planned to run errands afterward but ended up skipping them so I could be at home, with my phone, where I’m connected to everything. . .seriously, not even 10 years ago I regularly lived with my phone uncharged/turned off. It’s terrible! Not terrible? Cheeseburger macaroni! Could anything be more comforting? Have a great weekend, Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Crazy, huh??! Thank you Kelsie! You too 🙂