Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Macaroni

Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Macaroni is made with ground beef, bacon, onion, garlic, beef broth, tomato sauce, heavy cream, and two kinds of cheese. This easy cheeseburger macaroni recipe creates a delicious dinner that takes about 30 minutes to prepare and serves up to 8 people.

Ingredients Needed:

• 1 lb. ground beef (90/10)
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 c. beef broth
• 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 3/4 c. heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. hot sauce, plus more to taste
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 12 oz. large elbow macaroni
• 8 oz. shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1/4 lb. yellow American cheese slices, torn into small pieces
• Chopped green onion or parsley, to serve

How To Make This Cheeseburger Macaroni:

1. Cook the Beef and Bacon: In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground beef, chopped bacon, and onion over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring until the beef is cooked, the bacon is rendered, and the onion is softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
2. Add Broth and Seasonings: To the beef mixture, add beef broth, tomato sauce, heavy cream, paprika, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the elbow macaroni, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente.
3. Melt in the Cheeses: Lower the heat to low and gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and American cheese pieces until they are fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
4. Garnish and Serve: Top with chopped green onions or parsley before serving, if desired.

Recipe Tips

• Pick lean beef: Use 90/10 beef to avoid a greasy dish and get a better taste.
• Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook it just firm enough so it won’t get too soft when mixed with the sauce.
• Add cheese slowly: Mix the cheese gradually over low heat to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.
• Go easy on the hot sauce: Taste the dish first and add hot sauce little by little to get the right level of spice.
• Let the dish rest: Let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to come together and the sauce to thicken.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Storing in the Fridge: Once cooled, store the cheeseburger macaroni in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing: This dish can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 631
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 112 mg
• Sodium: 924 mg
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole
• Cheeseburger Casserole
• Cheeseburger Sliders
• Braised Short Ribs