A cozy, one‑pan Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet with ground beef, stewed tomatoes, macaroni, and melty sharp cheddar. Hearty, comforting, and weeknight‑easy.
Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
I know y'all are thinking by now that based on my recent posts, I've been living solely off of dips and pasta salads this summer, and you know what? You are mostly correct, I have!
But the husband, aka The Cajun, doesn't eat that kind of food, so yeah, I'm still cooking here and there because he can barely boil water y'all.
I'm always teasing him about those of you gals who tell me your husbands bring you a hot cup of coffee while you're still in bed in the morning.
"I don't know how to work that coffee thing you've got." he says.
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Though I do enjoy a hot percolated coffee (#ad) occasionally (it actually is the best), we have a Keurig (#ad), y'all. What could be easier than that?
Ah well, it is what it is.
All I can say if I ever become fully bedridden, he'd better learn how to make me some coffee!
Just a quick reminder.... if you aren't interested in the chit chat, info, photos, tips, product recommendations and such on a blog, as always, you'll find the complete recipe text with measurements and instructions, as well as a printable document, a little bit further down the page. Please swipe or scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe and printable!
Anyway, back to the subject at hand... this is a very "American goulash" type of skillet meal I made this summer, and it turned out very good and worthy of a share. Every now and then, you just want a skillet supper that feels familiar, comforting, and a little nostalgic - the kind of dish that reminds you of busy weeknights growing up, but tastes even better today.
This Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet is exactly that.
It’s hearty, cheesy, beefy, and saucy, with tender macaroni folded right in so the whole meal cooks in one pan. Think of it as a cousin to American goulash, but with a cheeseburger twist: stewed tomatoes for richness, ketchup for that classic tang, soy sauce for depth, and a generous blanket of sharp cheddar melted over the top. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for feeding your crew without a lot of fuss.
This skillet comes together quickly, making it ideal for weeknights when you need something filling but don’t want to babysit a pot. Browning the beef builds the base flavor, and the two types of canned tomatoes add different textures and that mellow sweetness that balances the savory seasonings.
Here's what you'll need to make my Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet:
- 1/2-pound uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian-style petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
I'm using that Meriwether Farms 85/15 ground beef I've talked about many times here on the website. I buy it in bulk and I'm running down to the last batches so almost time for a reorder! I've also purchased their cube steaks, briskets and roasts and been happy with everything I purchased there. Disclaimer: I have no financial affiliation with Meriwether Farms and all products I feature have been purchased by me personally and with my own money. I'm just a consumer sharing my experience!
I've also been building up some Le Creuset cookware here and there over the years, and this braiser (#ad) is one of my most favorite purchases of all and one that I've used very often this summer! It's just under 4 quarts and absolutely perfect for skillet style stovetop meals like this one.
Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well. Y'all know I used my microwave Fasta Pasta (#affil).
Meanwhile, add that ground beef to a large, lidded Dutch oven, braiser, or skillet and brown, mashing up (#affil) the meat as you go.
Drain or dab off any excess fat.
Add the chopped onion to the ground beef.
Cook, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes.
Stir in the stewed and diced tomatoes.
Add ketchup and seasonings and bring to a boil.
Add the cooked and drained macaroni.
Stir to coat.
Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Once everything is tender and the liquid has reduced, you’ll finish it the best way possible - with a generous handful (or two) of sharp cheddar.
Cover the skillet, remove from the heat source and let the cheese melt into a gooey, irresistible topping.
It’s the kind of meal that gets scooped straight from the pan into a serving bowl, and nobody complains.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
Fresh and Simple Sides Work Best:
A Green Salad - Just any basic tossed salad served with ranch dressing or even a zesty vinaigrette, cuts through the richness perfectly.
Classic Cucumber & Tomato Salad - Cool, crisp, and quick; great for summer nights.
Steamed Whole Fresh Green Beans - Add some butter, salt, pepper… done.
Bread and Carb Sides:
Cheesy Bread, Garlic Toast or Texas Toast is always a hit and perfect for scooping.
Buttered Dinner Rolls - Any quality soft roll will make this feel extra comforting.
Cornbread is a classic Southern bread that pairs beautifully with the tomato base.
Veggie Sides:
Steamed or Roasted Broccoli with a slight char and crunch goes a long way.
Sautéed Squash or Zucchini is a light addition, quick, and won't compete with the skillet.
Buttered or creamed corn adds sweetness that works well with the savory sauce.
Something Cool on the Side:
Creamy or vinegar‑based coleslaw adds a refreshing bite.
Pickles are a fun “cheeseburger” nod that adds tang and crunch.
Easy Add‑Ons:
- A dollop of sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- A sprinkle of extra cheese
- Hot sauce
If you love easy, comforting skillet meals that stretch a pound of ground beef into something hearty and crowd‑pleasing, this Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet will slide right into your regular rotation. It’s cozy, budget‑friendly, and full of that old‑fashioned flavor we all grew up with - just made a little better.
I hope it brings a warm, familiar comfort to your table tonight!
For more of my favorite skillet meals, check out the collection on my Pinterest page!
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For more of my favorite skillet meals, check out the collection on my Pinterest page!
Unable to view the printable above on your device? Tap/click here for a backup printable.
Thank you for supporting my work! Please note that Images and Full Post Content including photographs and recipe ©Deep South Dish. Recipes are offered for your own personal use only and while pinning and sharing links is welcomed and encouraged, do not copy and paste post or recipe text to repost or republish to any social media (such as other Facebook pages, etc.), blogs, websites, forums, or any print medium, without explicit prior permission. Unauthorized use of content from ©Deep South Dish is a violation of both the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and copyright law. All rights reserved.
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