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Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

Easy Crockpot Cheeseburger Macaroni Casserole Recipe

Published: Apr 16, 2023 · Updated: Jan 21, 2025 by Marye

Hearty, kid friendly cheeseburger macaroni casserole recipe is easy to make in the crockpot. If you need a big batch of comfort food to feed a crowd this is the one to choose!
Total time for the recipe to be finished.Total Time 7 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
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A serving spoon filled with casserole.
A fork lifting up a serving of cheeseburger macaroni casserole with a text overlay for Pinterest.

Let this easy slow cooker casserole simmer while you're away!

Don't want to scroll through the page to get to the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on the section you want to go to.

Cheesy casserole on a plate.
Table of Contents
  • ❤️ Why you'll love it
  • 🧾 Ingredients
  • 🔪 Instructions
  • 🥫 Storage
  • 📖 Variations
  • 💭 Things to know
  • 👩‍🍳 FAQs
  • 📚 Related recipes
  • 🍽️ Serve with...
  • 🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends
  • 📞 The last word
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Homemade "hamburger helper" only needs a few simple ingredients
  • Slow cooker meals are so helpful for busy weeknights
  • Tastes just like two comfort food favorites—cheeseburgers and creamy mac and cheese!

Crockpot cheeseburger macaroni casserole is a satisfying, hearty meal that makes the whole family excited for dinner time.

It's a busy mom's best-kept secret for feeding even the pickiest eaters—without any complaints because it's full of flavor and cheesy goodness!

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Labeled ingredients for this recipe.

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step images showing how to make this recipe.
  1. Add cooked ground beef, onions, soup, and seasoning in slow cooker and cook on low for 6 hours.
  2. Stir in the uncooked macaroni, put the cover back on and let cook for another 20 to 30 minutes. Macaroni should be tender - if not let cook a bit more.
  3. Stir in Velveeta, cover, and let cook 10 more minutes. Stir.
  4. Sprinkle on grated Cheddar, cover, and let stand until the cheese melts. Serve.

🥫 Storage

Crockpot cheeseburger casserole leftovers are so good, everyone will enjoy eating them again! Plus, storage is simple.

Spoon the cooled casserole into an airtight container or heavy-duty storage bag. Refrigerate for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months.

Let any frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, to reheat from the fridge, simply pop the noodles and meat mixture into the microwave. (Be sure to use a microwave-safe dish.)

Heat in one-minute increments, stirring in between until it's heated to your liking. Depending on the portion size, it may take a couple minutes.

A serving of casserole being spooned out of the slow cooker.

📖 Variations

This crock pot cheeseburger macaroni recipe makes an easy dinner because there are so many ways to switch it up if you need to!

  • Feel free to use whatever ground meat you like or have on hand—ground turkey, chicken, and even sausage are all good substitutes.
  • Swap the macaroni noodles with another similar shape, like shells, rigatoni, or farfalle (bow-tie pasta.)
  • Instead of pasta, use diced potatoes! Cut them into half-inch cubes.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese has that classic hamburger helper flavor, but you can substitute it with another kind. White cheddar, American, Pepper-Jack, or a Mexican blend would work well, too.
  • If you can't get up to the grocery store for some Velveeta cheese, you can use cream cheese in its place.
  • Some people like to add a little bit of diced dill pickles, celery, or green pepper. It's a great way to add more texture (and sneaky veggies!)
  • We love to serve crock pot hamburger helper with some hot sauce on the side. Some people like it with a scoop of sour cream or fresh parsley.
  • You can also cook the pasta and stir it in the last 20 minutes of cooking time.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: Remember to use uncooked pasta. If you have leftover cooked elbow pasta to use up, just stir it in at the end.

  • Don't forget to drain the excess grease before spooning the beef into the crockpot. Otherwise, the delicious casserole will taste oily.
  • Use a small food processor to quickly dice the onion. (Plus, this prevents onion tears!)
  • Crockpot ground beef casserole tends to dry out (and the pasta gets a little mushy) when left on the "warm" setting. Serve it as soon as it's finished cooking for the best results.
  • You can get a little prep out of the way ahead of time by browning the meat and combining it with the soup mixture. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two days, or until you're ready to dump it in the crockpot.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Is it necessary to brown the ground beef, first?

I recommend it! Though the beef would cook okay in the crockpot, browning it first provides the best texture.

Can I use something else for the French onion soup?

Condensed French onion soup is made with delicious onion flavor and beef broth, but it's thick enough to make a creamy crock pot recipe. If you have to swap it out, use another thick, condensed soup, like cream of mushroom.

Doesn't hamburger macaroni need tomato paste?

No, ma'am! This recipe is perfectly delicious as written. However, if you like a little tomato flavor, feel free to add a few tablespoons in.

Can I use gluten-free pasta?

Sure! Just watch it closely, and test for doneness before turning off the heat. Gluten-free pastas sometimes take longer to reach al dente.

A crockpot with some of the casserole gone.

📚 Related recipes

  • Ditch the slow cooker and try this traditional Hamburger Noodle Casserole—it's quick, easy, and you can make it ahead of time!
  • Hearty Ground Beef Dorito Casserole combines beef, cheese, beans, and veggies with a topping made from everyone's favorite chip!
  • Beef, potatoes, and cheese—how could Hamburger Potato Casserole be anything but scrumptious?
  • Don't turn on the oven—Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet is one of those easy recipes that everyone loves from the second they hear "bacon."
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🍽️ Serve with...

  • Southern Green Beans are a hearty, smoky side dish with tons of flavor.
  • Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls perfectly complete any meal!
  • Peanut Butter M&M Brownies satisfy that after-dinner sweets craving.

🥄 Restless Chipotle recommends

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You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • 6-8 quart Crockpot
  • Iron skillet

📞 The last word

I like to make a big batch of this and then portion it out and freeze it. It makes it super easy to have a couple of casseroles ready to go at any time!

You might also like this crock pot sausage and potatoes casserole. It's hearty and cheesy!

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

A serving spoon filled with casserole.

Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese Casserole

3 from 1 vote
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Hearty, kid friendly cheeseburger macaroni casserole recipe is easy to make in the crockpot. If you need a big batch of comfort food to feed a crowd this is the one to choose!
Course Slow Cooker
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 7 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings:10
Calories:444
Author:Marye Audet-White

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef, 90/10
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 31.5 ounces condensed French onion soup, 3 10.5-ounce cans
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and break it up into crumbles.
  • Cook until there is no pink left, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain any grease and add the ground beef to the bottom of an 8-quart slow cooker.
  • Add the onion,soup, garlic powder, and onion powder to the slow cooker.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Place the cooker on low heat for 6 hours.
  • Add the macaroni and stir to combine.
  • Continue to cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until the noodles are fully cooked.
  • Add the cubed Velveeta, stir it in.
  • Place the top back on the pot and wait 5 minutes.
  • Stir until all of the Velveeta is melted.
  • Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and replace the lid.
  • Cook until the cheese is melted, 10 minutes or so.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage:
Spoon the cooled casserole into an airtight container or heavy-duty storage bag. Refrigerate for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months.
Let any frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, to reheat from the fridge, simply pop the noodles and meat mixture into the microwave. (Be sure to use a microwave-safe dish.)
Heat in one-minute increments, stirring in between until it's heated to your liking. Depending on the portion size, it may take a couple minutes.
Tips:
  • Be sure to use uncooked pasta. If you want to use cooked pasta or have some left over just stir it in at the end.
  • Don't forget to drain the excess grease before spooning the beef into the crockpot. Otherwise, the delicious casserole will taste oily.
  • Use a small food processor to quickly dice the onion. (Plus, this prevents onion tears!)
  • Crockpot ground beef casserole tends to dry out (and the pasta gets a little mushy) when left on the "warm" setting. Serve it as soon as it's finished cooking for the best results.
  • You can get a little prep out of the way ahead of time by browning the meat and combining it with the soup mixture. Store it in the refrigerator for up to two days, or until you're ready to dump it in the crockpot.
 
 

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1017mg | Potassium: 858mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 449IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 325mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.

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About Marye

Meet Marye Audet, a wizard in the kitchen and a storyteller at heart. Marye is like your eccentric but fun aunt who knows all the secret recipes and isn't afraid to spill them.

Comments

    3 from 1 vote

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    Love it? Give it 5 stars!




  1. Lonni says

    July 07, 2024 at 2:05 pm

    3 stars
    I made this and found I had to make a cheese sauce because it was to dry I had to add a can of diced tomatoes to make this dish not so dry I believe the next time I will just make a cheese sauce from the beginning and add cooked noodles

    Reply
    • Marye says

      July 08, 2024 at 9:34 am

      I've never had it come out dry. Did you make any alterations in the recipe?

      Reply
Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye

Welcome to my kitchen! ☕

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies. Collector of old cookbooks.

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