Cheeseburger Mac (One Pan Cheesy Beef Macaroni)
Beef mince, macaroni and cheese sauce tangy with mustard and pickles, the flavour of a cheeseburger in a family supper.
Made with Cheese sauce and Homemade beef stock. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.92 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan over a high heat. Brown the mince for 6 minutes, breaking it up, until no pink remains.
6 min - 2
Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes, then the garlic, tomato purée and mustard for 1 minute.
5 min - 3
Pour in the hot homemade beef stock (see the base recipe), add the macaroni and stir. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
11 min - 4
Warm your ready made cheese sauce (see the base recipe) in a small pan, loosening with a splash of milk.
- 5
Take the pan off the heat and stir in the cheese sauce until everything is coated and creamy. Season with black pepper.
- 6
Top with the chopped gherkins and serve at once.
Tips
- Stir often while the pasta cooks in the stock, as the starch can stick to the pan.
- Add the cheese sauce off the heat so the sauce stays smooth and does not split.
- A handful of grated cheddar on top, melted under the grill, gives a proper burger finish.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours. Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or milk until steaming hot all the way through. Freezes for 2 months, though the pasta softens.
Questions
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes. Small shells, penne or fusilli work well. Check the packet timing and add a little more stock if it needs longer.
Can I make it gluten free?
Not as written, because the cheese sauce is made with wheat flour. Use gluten free pasta and a gluten free cheese sauce, made with the swap in the base recipe tips.
What do I serve with it?
A crisp salad or steamed green beans. Sliced tomatoes and lettuce add a cheeseburger feel.
More made with cheese sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.