4.6 from 78 votes
Hamburger Mac and Cheese
You won't have to ask the kids twice to come to the table when you put this crazy good, one-pot Hamburger Mac and Cheese in front of them!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 657 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 cubes chicken bouillon (see note)
- 4 cups water boiling
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup yellow onion chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons cooked bacon crumbled (see note)
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 16 ounces elbow macaroni (or any short pasta)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Add the bouillon cubes to 4 cups of boiling water. Set aside to dissolve. Use a fork to stir/smash the cubes a couple of times to make sure they're fully dissolved.
- Place a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Melt the butter and then add the onion. Cook for 2 minutes until the onions are softened.
- Add the ground beef, bacon bits, dry ground mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon to break up the beef and stir everything together. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Add the chicken bouillon mixture to the pot along with the uncooked pasta. Stir everything together, cover the pot, and cook for 20-25 minutes until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stirring occasionally. (see note.)
- Uncover the pot and add the sour cream and shredded cheeses. Stir until the cheese is melted and a creamy sauce has formed.
- Serve warm with extra shredded cheese on top if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can substitute the bouillon and 4 cups water for 4 cups of chicken broth if preferred.
- For the bacon, you can use store-bought bacon bits or cooked and crumble your own bacon. (Sometimes I add more bacon if we're in the mood.) This ingredient can be committed if needed.
- You can use 3 cups of shredded cheese in any variety you like. Other cheeses that work great for this recipe are pepper jack, Monterey Jack, and even a little Parmesan.
- If the pasta isn't cooked enough after 25 minutes, add another 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth, cover, and cook for a few more minutes.
Nutrition Information
Calories
657kcal
(33%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
41g
(82%)
Fat
28g
(43%)
Saturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
8g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
118mg
(39%)
Sodium
886mg
(37%)
Potassium
528mg
(15%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
671IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
393mg
(39%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 657
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 657kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 41g | 82% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 118mg | 39% |
| Sodium | 886mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 528mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 671IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 393mg | 39% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.