If you grew up eating Hamburger Helper, this Hamburger Mac is basically the high-protein, meal-prep-friendly version we all need as adults.

It’s cheesy, creamy, ridiculously easy, and made with ingredients the whole family will eat: ground beef, elbow noodles, cream cheese, and plenty of shredded cheese. Nothing fancy happening here—just really good comfort food that also happens to pack almost 38 grams of protein per serving.

This recipe makes 9 servings, so it’s perfect for a big batch of meal prep, feeding a family, or doing a little bit of both. And you can make the entire thing in the Instant Pot OR use the slow cooker depending on what works best for your day.

Why You’ll Love This Hamburger Mac

• Almost 38 grams of protein per serving
• Makes 9 generous servings
• Perfect for meal prep
• Family-friendly comfort food
• Make it in the Instant Pot or slow cooker
• Uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients
• Creamy and cheesy without needing a complicated sauce
• Easy to portion based on your individual macro needs

What’s in Hamburger Mac?

Lean Ground Beef

We use 2 pounds of 90/10 lean ground beef, which gives this Hamburger Mac plenty of protein and that classic beefy flavor.

After browning the beef, drain any excess grease before adding the remaining ingredients.

Elbow Noodles

It wouldn’t be Hamburger Mac without the macaroni!

A 16-ounce box of elbow noodles makes this a hearty meal and gives you that nostalgic Hamburger Helper feel.

Want a little more fiber? Swap the regular noodles for whole wheat pasta.

Beef Broth

Instead of cooking the noodles separately in water, they cook right in the beef broth. This adds extra flavor and also means fewer dishes.

And fewer dishes will always be a win around here.

Cream Cheese

You only need half of a block of ⅓ less fat cream cheese to help turn the broth and milk into a creamy sauce.

Reduced-Fat Shredded Cheese

Two cups of reduced-fat shredded cheese get stirred in at the end until everything is melted, cheesy, and creamy.

I like cheddar here, but a cheddar blend would work too.

Milk

Fat-free milk adds creaminess without making the sauce overly heavy. It gets stirred in toward the end along with the cream cheese and shredded cheese.

Seasonings

Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, mustard, salt, and pepper keep the seasoning simple while giving the finished dish plenty of flavor.

The mustard may sound a little unexpected, but it works really well with the beef and cheese and gives the sauce a little extra depth.

Instant Pot Hamburger Mac

If you have an Instant Pot, this is probably my favorite way to make Hamburger Mac.

You can brown the ground beef directly in the pot, add the broth, seasonings, and noodles, and pressure cook everything together.

Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the milk, cream cheese, and shredded cheese until you have a smooth, creamy sauce.

One pot. Nine servings. Very little cleanup.

Exactly the kind of meal prep I like.

Slow Cooker Hamburger Mac

No Instant Pot? You can make this Hamburger Mac in the slow cooker too.

Brown and drain the ground beef first, then transfer it to your slow cooker with the broth and seasonings.

The pasta, milk, and cream cheese are added toward the end of cooking so the noodles don’t sit in the slow cooker all day and turn mushy.

Once the noodles are tender, stir in the shredded cheese and you’re ready to portion everything out.

Slow cooker tip: Pasta can cook differently depending on the slow cooker and brand of noodles you’re using. Start checking it around the 30-minute mark once you add the pasta and give everything a stir halfway through.

High-Protein Hamburger Helper

If you’re looking for a homemade high-protein Hamburger Helper, this recipe definitely fits the bill.

Each 283g serving has:

478 calories

37.8g protein

38.3g carbohydrates

18.8g fat

1.8g fiber

You get the creamy, cheesy ground beef and macaroni combination you remember, but it’s portioned and macro calculated to make meal prep easy.

Make It Higher in Fiber

The easiest way to increase the fiber in this meal is to use whole wheat elbow pasta instead of traditional pasta.

You could also serve it with a vegetable on the side. Broccoli, green beans, or a simple side salad would all be easy additions.

Just remember that changing the pasta will also change the nutrition information from the macros listed for the original recipe.

Meal Prep Hamburger Mac

This recipe was MADE for meal prep.

Once it’s finished cooking, divide the Hamburger Mac between 9 meal prep containers, allow it to cool, cover, and refrigerate.

When you’re ready to eat, microwave a serving for approximately 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway through if needed.

If the pasta thickens in the refrigerator—which is completely normal—add a small splash of milk before reheating and give it a good stir. That will help bring back some of that creamy consistency.

Adjust the Serving Size to Fit Your Macros

The listed serving size is 283g, but that doesn’t mean every container has to have exactly 283g.

This recipe is available in the tracking apps by the gram, so you can easily adjust the amount you put into each meal prep container based on your individual needs.

Need a smaller meal? Pack less.

Need more calories, carbs, and protein that day? Give yourself a larger serving.

This is one of my favorite things about tracking recipes by weight. You aren’t stuck trying to make one predetermined serving size fit everyone’s needs.

What to Serve With Hamburger Mac

Hamburger Mac is definitely a complete meal on its own, but if you want to add a side, keep it simple.

Try it with:

• Steamed or roasted broccoli
• Green beans
• Roasted zucchini
• A simple green salad
• Brussels sprouts
• Fresh fruit

For my family, I’d put a big vegetable on the table and call dinner DONE.

How to Store Hamburger Mac

Allow the Hamburger Mac to cool before transferring it to airtight containers.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

As the pasta sits, it will continue to absorb some of the sauce, so don’t worry if it looks thicker straight from the refrigerator. A splash of milk before reheating can loosen everything back up.

Can You Freeze Hamburger Mac?

Yes, although creamy pasta dishes are generally at their best fresh or refrigerated.

If you’d like to freeze it, allow the Hamburger Mac to cool completely and portion it into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2–3 months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You may want to stir in a splash of milk as it reheats to help restore the creamy texture.

Easy Hamburger Mac Variations

Use Whole Wheat Pasta

This is the easiest swap if you want to increase the fiber.

Add Some Veggies

Stir in peas, spinach, broccoli, or finely diced bell peppers for some extra vegetables.

Add a Little Heat

Add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne, hot sauce, or diced jalapeños if you like things spicy.

Switch Up the Cheese

Cheddar is an easy choice, but Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or a cheddar blend would all work.

Make It Extra Creamy

When reheating your meal prep, add a splash of milk before microwaving and stir well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Hamburger Mac in the Instant Pot?

Yes! The Instant Pot makes this recipe especially easy because you can brown the beef and cook the pasta in the same pot. The pasta pressure cooks for just 5 minutes before the milk and cheeses are stirred in.

Can I make Hamburger Mac in a slow cooker?

Yes. Brown the ground beef first, then let it cook with the broth and seasonings. Add the pasta, milk, and cream cheese during the final 30–40 minutes so the noodles don’t overcook.

Can I use whole wheat pasta?

Absolutely. Whole wheat elbow noodles are an easy way to increase the fiber per serving. Just keep in mind that the macros may differ from those listed for the original recipe.

How do I keep Hamburger Mac creamy when reheating?

Add a small splash of milk before microwaving, then stir well once it’s hot. Pasta naturally absorbs sauce as it sits in the refrigerator, so a little extra liquid helps bring the creamy texture back.

Is Hamburger Mac good for meal prep?

Yes! This recipe makes 9 servings and has almost 38 grams of protein per serving, making it a great option for high-protein meal prep.

Nutrition & Macros

Makes: 9 servings

Serving Size: 283g

Calories: 478

Protein: 37.8g

Carbohydrates: 38.3g

Fat: 18.8g

Fiber: 1.8g

This Hamburger Mac is exactly what I want from meal prep: easy, filling, high in protein, and something I’m actually excited to reheat for lunch. It’s basically grown-up Hamburger Helper—with better macros and enough cheesy, creamy comfort-food goodness that the rest of the family will want some too.