Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Hamburger Mac and Cheese is a cheesy and creamy recipe, which is made with lean ground beef and Velveeta cheese. It’s the perfect one-pot weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Hamburger Mac and Cheese Ingredients
- ½ pound lean ground beef, or more to taste
- ½ small onion, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 8 ounces reduced-fat processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream, or more to taste
How To Make Pioneer Woman Hamburger Mac and Cheese
- Brown the Beef and Onions: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking the beef up with a spoon, until it is browned and crumbly. Drain off and discard any excess grease.
- Cook the Pasta in the Skillet: Increase the heat to high. Add the 2 cups of water to the skillet with the beef mixture. Cover the skillet and bring the water to a boil. Stir the uncooked macaroni into the boiling water.
- Simmer Until Tender: Cover the skillet again, lower the heat to medium, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir, re-cover, and continue cooking for about 5 more minutes, until the macaroni is tender and has absorbed most of the water.
- Make it Creamy: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir the cubed Velveeta into the hot ground beef and macaroni mixture until it has completely melted. Finish by stirring in the sour cream until combined. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the creamiest sauce? The Velveeta is the key! It’s specifically designed to melt into a perfectly smooth, creamy, and stable sauce that will never be grainy or oily. The sour cream at the end adds a final touch of richness and a slight tang.
- Can I add other vegetables? Yes! For a heartier meal, you can sauté some diced green or red bell peppers along with the onion at the beginning of the cooking process.
- How can I make this a Mexican-inspired version? As the original recipe tip suggests, this is a great base for customization. Add 1 tablespoon of cumin and 2 teaspoons of chili powder to the ground beef as it cooks. You can then serve it with chopped lettuce, tomato, and salsa on top.
- Can I use fresh garlic and onion? The recipe calls for powders for ease, but you can absolutely use fresh. Substitute the powders with 1 small, finely diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, adding them to the pan with the ground beef.
What To Serve With Hamburger Mac and Cheese
This is a hearty, all-in-one meal that is incredibly satisfying on its own. For a complete dinner, it pairs perfectly with simple sides like:
- A crisp green salad with a tart vinaigrette
- Steamed green beans or broccoli
- Warm garlic bread or a crusty roll
- A side of applesauce
How To Store Hamburger Mac and Cheese
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools.
- Reheat: The best way to reheat is on the stovetop over low heat. Add a generous splash of milk and stir frequently until it is hot and creamy again.
Hamburger Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 1150mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why cook the pasta directly in the pan?
This is the secret to a great one-pot meal! The uncooked pasta cooks directly in the water and beef broth, which not only saves you from washing an extra pot, but the starches from the pasta are released directly into the liquid, helping to create a naturally thick and creamy sauce.
Do I have to use Velveeta?
For this specific style of ultra-creamy, smooth mac and cheese (similar to a homemade Hamburger Helper), yes. If you substitute with natural cheeses like cheddar, you will need to make a traditional roux-based sauce first, as they can become oily if melted this way.
Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Yes. While elbow macaroni is classic, any small, short pasta shape will work well. Shells, rotini, or ditalini are all great choices.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese with French Fried Onions Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Florentine Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls Recipe
Pioneer Woman Hamburger Mac and Cheese Recipe
Description
A quick and easy one-pot dinner that tastes just like a homemade version of Hamburger Helper, with a rich, cheesy sauce, savory ground beef, and tender macaroni.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and all the seasonings until the beef is browned. Drain the grease.
- Add the water to the skillet, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the uncooked macaroni. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the pasta is tender.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cubed Velveeta until it has completely melted.
- Stir in the sour cream and serve immediately.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this one-pot recipe is to cook the uncooked pasta directly in the sauce; this is the secret to a thick, flavorful dish with less cleanup.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUsing Velveeta is the key to the signature ultra-creamy, smooth sauce that will not break or become grainy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t be shy with the seasonings! A simple dish like this needs a good amount of salt and pepper to be truly flavorful.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eBe sure to drain the excess grease from the ground beef after browning to prevent the final dish from being too oily.u003c/liu003e
