This hamburger and macaroni dish is one of my mother’s recipes that has been served in our house at least once a month for the last 45 years. We even have a special name for it—HMO (Hamburger Macaroni Onions). I’ve also heard it called “goulash” or “American chop suey” or “Hamburger Noodle Casserole.” My father gets a song in his voice when he announces that we’re having HMO for dinner. You brown the meat and make the sauce while the water is coming to a boil and the macaroni is cooking. So it takes less than half an hour to make. So easy! Some of our readers know it as hamburger hotdish, mulligan, or Johnny Marzetti. Whatever it’s called, it’s comforting and so simple you’ll never think about buying a pre-mixed box of pasta and spices to “help” you make hamburger and macaroni again.
Variations and Add-Ins
Up the veggie factor by adding finely chopped vegetables like carrots, celery, zucchini, or mushrooms.Add corn or peas.Add a can of diced green chiles.Add a clove or two of minced garlic when sautéing the onion.Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef.Top with shredded cheese like cheddar or mozzarella.
Make This Vegetarian/Vegan
Make it meat-free by adding vegetarian meat crumbles and using vegan Worcestershire sauce (many Worcestershire sauces are made with anchovies).
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate: Refrigerate leftovers, tightly covered, for 3 to 5 days. Reheat over medium heat on the stovetop until it’s bubbly and the ground beef reaches 165 °F. Freezer: Freeze leftovers in a freezer safe zipper bag or container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator. Reheat over medium heat on the stovetop until it’s bubbly and the ground beef reaches 165 °F.
What to Serve With Hamburger and Macaroni
Caesar Salad Make-Ahead Dinner Rolls Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan Classic Glazed Carrots Air Fryer Crispy Cauliflower
When the beef has mostly browned, add the onions to the pan and toss to combine. Cook until the onions are soft, about 4 to 6 minutes. Add freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste.
