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 (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 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 lost.
Anyone else ever forget their phone and felt that way? Anyway, when I got my phone in my little hands again everything felt right. Ha!
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!
Plus, it’s easy to make!
Oh, and no judgement, but I sometimes serve 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!
If you’re licking your screen right now, I understand, LOL.
Tips for Making This Recipe
- 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.
- 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.
- The sauce will thicken further as it stands. Enjoy once it’s made.
Recipe Variations
- 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.
- Macaroni pasta was 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
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!!
Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, use less if you prefer less spice (I used Sriracha)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 ounces dried macaroni pasta, 2 cups
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, about ½ cup
- 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, about ½ cup
- ¼ cup creme fraiche, or full-fat sour cream (optional but yummy)
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to "Sauté." (I used an 8-quart Instant Pot.)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 olive oil to the Instant Pot and, when hot, add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for about 2 minutes. Add ground beef, salt, black pepper, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and tomato paste. Stir. Cook, breaking the ground beef into small pieces and stirring occasionally, until it's fully cooked through (the ground beef should no longer be pink and be browned all the way through), about 8 to 10 minutes. If there is any time left on the timer, press "Cancel." Stir in macaroni pasta and beef 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 the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Let sit for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese melts. Stir in creme fraiche or sour cream (if using). Serve and enjoy!Note: You can use ½ cup each of shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese or 1 cup of either.
Notes
- The sauce will thicken further as it stands.
- Macaroni pasta was 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).
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
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
annie@ciaochowbambina
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 🙂