Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
When I was growing up, Hamburger Helper was one of my favorite dinners! While it doesn’t get easier than adding meat and water to the contents of a box, there is a healthier way to enjoy that creamy, cheeseburger skillet meal… and it’s still very simple!
The box of macaroni and cheese you choose will determine the outcome of your dish, so choose one your family loves! I’m very intentional about the ingredients I use in my recipes, so I chose Annie’s white cheddar shells because of the cleaner ingredient label. I also used ground turkey because it’s more lean than ground beef, but it’s also much cheaper in my area. As always, please use the brands and ingredients that fit your budget and dietary needs.
Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet
Easy, creamy, cheeseburger macaroni skillet meal is a huge crowd-pleaser!
Servings: 5
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground turkey (substitute ground beef or chicken, if desired)
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 boxes macaroni and cheese
- 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil and ground turkey. Break up the turkey and cook until browned.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the two boxes of macaroni and cheese, setting aside the cheese packets. Cook according to package directions.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the ground turkey and stir until combined and bubbling.
- Drain the macaroni pasta and set aside. Add the two cheese packets to the ground meat mixture and stir until well-combined. (NOTE: if your box of macaroni calls for milk or water, do not add as the liquid from the turkey and tomatoes should be sufficient to incorporate the cheese).
- Add the drained macaroni pasta to the skillet and combine everything well. Taste it and add more salt or pepper, to taste.
- At this point, if your cheeseburger macaroni skillet seems too dry for your liking, add a splash of milk or water to loosen.