Easy Weeknight Skillet Meal: Cheeseburger Macaroni

7.23.2013


Cheeseburger macaroni is a staple in the Bumgarner house. Seriously. I'd say me make this every other week at least. Why? Well, it's easy to make, I usually have all the ingredients on hand, and it tastes delicious. Before I get into the recipe, I have to give credit where credit is due and let you know that I discovered this amazing recipe here. This is a not a creation a la me.

But I can still tell you about it now, right? Right.
Mkay.

This is a 1 large skillet + 1 small pot meal that takes about 20 minutes to put together, even less if you've already cooked and frozen your ground beef like I told you to do. Tell me you've started doing this, because it saves SO much time. 

*Recipe from here.



    FOR THE PASTA MIXTURE:

    • 1 pound lean hamburger meat
    • 1 envelope taco seasoning
    • 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (or petite diced tomatoes)
    • 2 cups beef broth (or water)
    • 1 cup elbow macaroni

    FOR THE CHEESE SAUCE:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 3/4 cup milk
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

    Directions:


    Brown and drain hamburger meat. Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, beef broth, and macaroni. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and cover pan. Simmer 12-14 mins until macaroni is tender.

    FOR THE CHEESE SAUCE

    Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking for 5 minutes until fragrant and light brown in color. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Add the salt and pepper to the cheese sauce. Pour the cheese sauce over the hamburger mixture. Stir gently to combine.

    A few notes about the recipe:
    1) We use low-sodium taco seasoning
    2) We usually just use water in place of beef broth, and I don't taste much of a difference.

    >Brown & drain meat in a large skillet. (Or pull out your bag of frozen, cooked meat.) Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, water/beef broth, and uncooked macaroni.

    >Heat to boiling.

    >Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-14 minutes, until macaroni is tender. You shouldn't have to stir while it's simmering.

    >While the meat & pasta are simmering, make the cheese sauce. *The entire cheese sauce process takes about 5 minutes, so I usually start making the sauce when the meat mixture has been simmering for 8-10 minutes already.

    >Melt butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in flour until light brown. Whisk in milk and bring to a boil. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and thickened, approximately 2 minutes. You'll want to make sure you whisk the whole time or else it will start boiling over.

    >Remove from heat and stir in shredded cheese until melted. Add salt & pepper.

    >Pour cheese sauce over hamburger mixture. Stir to combine. Serve. 

    *NoteThe Rotel makes this a little spicy, so we like to eat this with Saltines and milk.

    Makes great leftovers! Enjoy!

    **Check out more recipes on my recipe page and follow my entrees board on Pinterest!**

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    Amy Guest said...

    looks delicious!

    Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

    This so reminds me of growing up! My Dad made this a lot! Looks yummy!

    Venassa said...

    Oh yummy. Pinned it!

    Jessica Miller said...

    This looks delish! Can't wait to give this a try! :)

    Anonymous said...

    MY momma used to make a recipe just like that & it was seriously one of my favorites. Basically anything with cheese. ha

    Anonymous said...

    My mom used to make a Hamburger Helper dish that was very similar to this. I bet this one is even better!! I need to try it! Thanks for linking up with Jess and me!

    Chelsea Phelps said...

    Stopping by from the blog hop! This looks delicious! I love finding new delicious recipes to try out on the husband, and with all the meat and noodles, this would for sure be a hit! Newest follower via GFC :)

    XOXO
    Chelsea
    http://anchorsaweigh-ouradventure.blogspot.com

    Aleshea said...

    I really love your pictures and the recipe looks divine as well.

    Unknown said...

    After a busy Saturday of errands and projects, my husband and I wanted to crash at home. We didn't want to go out or buy groceries. I remembered this post and it just so happened I already had the ingredients at home. OMG so good! My Mom used to make Hamburger Helper, but I quit eating it for health reasons (too processed). This was much tastier and healthier than HH! Yum! My husband and I loved it! Total stick-to-your-ribs comfort food! :)

    Maria said...

    This got Brandon's stamp of approval. Woo hoo! So good and easy! Now I just need to make sure he leaves some leftovers...

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