Hamburger Mac And Cheese Casserole

Hamburger mac and cheese casserole is a hearty and very tasty meal.

The best part is that the entire meal is homemade and super easy to put together. And believe me, the kids will come running for this dish.

It’s like a hearty Hamburger Helper but so much tastier and nutritious for the whole family.

Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger casserole can come in so many forms, and this is a great way to get a filling meal on the table.

You can add some veggies to the dish or just go with the way it is. Either way, it’s one of those delicious comfort foods.

Why I Like This Dish

1. It’s a family favorite, and it’s definitely one of my favorite things to make and eat.
2. It’s super easy to make. Anyone can make this recipe because it’s so easy.
3. You know what ingredients are in the dish. No hidden stuff here. It’s almost all basic ingredients out of the pantry.
4. You can make it how you like it. If you want lean ground beef or ground turkey, you can switch it out. If cheddar is not your favorite cheese, you can use Swiss or your favorite cheese.
5. Kids love hamburger mac and cheese because it’s pure comfort food. It’s hard enough to get them to the table without a bunch of complaints. But this recipe is like mac and cheese on steroids. You know you’re feeding them good food for dinner, and they will go to bed full and satisfied.

Ingredients For Hamburger Mac And Cheese Casserole

• Elbow macaroni
• Ground beef
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion seasoning
• Minced garlic

Cheese Sauce

• Butter
• All-purpose flour
• Evaporated milk
• Heavy cream
• Beef broth
• Shredded cheddar cheese (I buy pre-shredded cheese to make life easier).
• Grated parmesan

Full printable recipe with measurements and instructions listed at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Before you get started on the ground beef, cook the macaroni noodles according to directions. However, stop cooking the noodles a few minutes early so they are al dente.

The hamburger mac and cheese recipe takes about 20-25 minutes to get ready and get into the oven.

1. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, onion seasoning, and garlic to a skillet and cook on medium heat. Drain the grease and set the meat aside.
2. Add the ground beef and noodles to the baking dish.
3. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and whisk in the flour. The flour will be lumpy. Pour in the evaporated milk and beef broth and whisk until the lumps are gone. Once the sauce is hot, add the cheese and cook until melted.
4. Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the meat and pasta and stir to combine. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 50 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10-15 minutes.

Tips for Adding Variety to Your Hamburger Mac and Cheese Casserole

• Add some diced green bell peppers or jalapeños for some color and spiciness.
• If you like things hot, add some hot sauce or crushed red peppers to the casserole.
• Try different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or Gouda, to create your own unique twist on this classic dish.
• Add some frozen mixed vegetables to the dish to get even more nutrition into the pan.

Substitutions for Hamburger Mac and Cheese

If you’re looking for a healthier version of this classic comfort food, there are a few substitutions you can make:

• As mentioned above, use some lean ground beef, turkey, or shredded chicken to reduce the fat content.
• Use whole wheat flour or gluten-free noodles to increase some of the fiber.
• Use some lower-fat milk for the recipe.
• Use lower-fat cheese to cut down on some fats, as well.
• Use a different type of pasta if you don’t have elbow macaroni noodles on hand.

What To Serve With Hamburger Mac and Cheese

There are a lot of side dishes that go great with this casserole dish. You can have some broccoli cheese casserole to get those veggies in the kids, or if it’s a more laid-back night, add a side of moist Jiffy cornbread.

Homemade dinner rolls are a good side dish to serve with ground beef mac and cheese along with some oven baked potatoes wedges. You can also add a side of green beans and bacon or a simple salad from Love and Lemons for some greens.

Optional Ingredients

You can add a few things here and there if you want some different flavors with this dish. Here are a few ideas:

• Diced onions
• Green peppers
• Italian seasoning
• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder

Hamburger Mac And Cheese Casserole

Hamburger mac and cheese casserole is the ultimate comfort food because it brings together some classic ingredients. Whether your family is big or small, it’s a great recipe for the entire family and an easy weeknight meal.