Cheeseburger Macaroni for a Crowd

Serve up comfort food at its finest with this hearty and crowd-pleasing Cheeseburger Macaroni! Perfect for feeding a hungry group, this recipe combines tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a luscious cheddar cheese sauce for the ultimate one-pot meal. With the richness of heavy cream, a touch of smoky paprika, and the tang of diced tomatoes, this dish is packed with bold, delicious flavor in every bite. Topped with melty cheddar and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, it’s as visually inviting as it is satisfying. Ready in just about an hour and generously serving 12, this cheeseburger-inspired pasta is ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or family dinner nights when you need something big on taste and easy to prepare!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 pounds elbow macaroni
• 3 pounds ground beef (80% lean)
• 2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 14.5-ounce cans canned diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 6 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.

Step 3

Add the diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper, coating the beef mixture evenly with the spices.

Step 5

Add the canned diced tomatoes (including their juices) and beef broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes to develop flavor.

Step 6

In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture turns lightly golden.

Step 7

Slowly whisk the heavy cream into the butter-flour mixture (roux) until smooth. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 8

Stir in 4 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese into the cream sauce until it melts and becomes smooth.

Step 9

Combine the cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and beef mixture in the large skillet or a serving dish. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly coated and heated through.

Step 10

Sprinkle the remaining 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese on top and cover until the cheese melts, or place under a broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(5684.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	12218.3

Total Fat 721.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 375.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 2277.3mg	0%
Sodium 12536.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 826.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 52.2g	0%
Total Sugars 73.1g
Protein 553.1g	0%

Vitamin D 93.3IU	0%
Calcium 5446.1mg	0%
Iron 70.3mg	0%
Potassium 6246.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.1%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 27.5%