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Home » All Recipes » Healthier Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole

Healthier Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole

Published: Jan 9, 2017 · Modified: Jul 22, 2020 by Allison · 45 Comments

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Healthy Cheeseburger Casserole. Similar to Homemade Hamburger Helper – Creamy, cheesy casserole loaded with lean ground beef, whole wheat pasta, finely chopped veggies, and cheddar cheese. Made in one pot in 30 minutes!

Macaroni casserole on a white plate.I figured we could all use some comfort food on this wintry Monday. Most of the country (or at least everyone I follow on Instagram) was blanketed with snow this past weekend. Although there was no snow to be found here in the desert, we still enjoyed a chilly, cozy weekend at home.

When it comes to meal planning in January we have to walk that fine line between healthy (resolutions, holiday detox, etc.) and the need for hearty comfort food. I love taking recipes that are traditionally heavy and overly-processed and turning them into something that I am proud to feed my family.

Macaroni casserole in a skillet.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

This Healthy Cheeseburger Casserole is like the healthier, more flavorful cousin of Hamburger Helper.

It’s creamy, cheesy, and super satisfying. It’s filled with lean ground beef, whole wheat pasta, and nearly 3 cups of finely chopped vegetables. Picky eaters in your family? Cut those veggies really small and they will melt into the casserole and be virtually undetectable. A sweet and tangy tomato sauce coats everything and grated cheddar adds gooey cheesiness to every single bite!

Macaroni casserole on a white plate.

Easy Healthy Cheeseburger Casserole

This meal is made in one pot in about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for any night of the week. If your weeknights are busy, prep your veggies and grate your cheese in advance and this will come together even faster.

Macaroni casserole on a white plate.

Let’s talk garnishes real quick. This dish is absolutely delicious with no garnishes; they are not necessary, but, if you’d like you can garnish with sliced green onions and parsley. Or, if you really want to drive that cheeseburger flavor home you can try chopped pickles sprinkled on top. Enjoy!

You might also like: Taco Soup – Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Macaroni casserole on a white plate.

Healthy Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger macaroni casserole with a healthy twist. A creamy, cheesy casserole loaded with lean ground beef, whole wheat pasta, finely chopped veggies, and cheddar cheese. Healthier comfort food made in one pot in 30 minutes!
5 from 24 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: Main dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 509kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup finely diced carrot
  • ½ cup finely diced celery
  • ⅓ cup finely diced red bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups low sodium beef broth, plus more, if needed
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups whole wheat elbow macaroni
  • 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil and ground beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is mostly cooked through. Add onion, carrot, celery, bell pepper, garlic and ½ teaspoon salt and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the vegetables have softened, stirring occasionally. If the mixture seems dry you can add a drizzle of olive oil. 
  • Add beef broth, ketchup, tomato sauce and pasta. Increase heat and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until the pasta is cooked through (about 10 minutes). As the mixture is cooking it will thicken. Add water as needed to keep it creamy. Once the pasta is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, stir in 1 cup of cheese. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top and place a lid on the saucepan to melt the cheese (or pop it under the broiler to melt it). Serve immediately. If the sauce thickens, just stir in a little water to make it creamy again.

Notes

Reheating leftovers? Stir in a splash of water to make the pasta creamy.

Nutrition

Calories: 509kcal

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
Close up of macaroni casserole.
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Comments

  1. Sarah

    November 15, 2021 at 7:14 am

    5 stars
    This recipe was absolutely delicious and so simple to make! We loved it, thank you.

    Next time I may try tossing in extra veg like sweet peas or lentils.

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 16, 2021 at 8:37 am

      Great idea! That sounds delicious!

      Reply
  2. Stephanie

    October 11, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe, because I have tried many of your desserts and they were ALL AMAZING! This did not disappoint – my husband even said it was very good!

    Reply
    • Allison

      October 12, 2022 at 2:56 pm

      Yay! Thanks for the kind review. 🙂

      Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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