Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Bison (Easy Cheeseburger Mac)

Looking for a comforting weeknight dinner that’s hearty, cheesy, and ready in under 30 minutes? This Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Bison is like an elevated homemade Hamburger Helper — but healthier and more flavorful. Made with smoky cheddar, lean ground bison, sweet onions, and tender pasta, this meaty mac and cheese is the ultimate one-pan meal for chilly evenings.

If you’re craving a spicier spin, don’t miss my Green Chile Bacon Macaroni & Cheese — it’s loaded with bold Southwestern flavor.

What is Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Bison?

Think of this recipe as a cheeseburger mac and cheese meets my mom’s Mexican macaroni and cheese from the Muy Bueno cookbook. The twist? Ground bison adds a lean, protein-packed punch while apple-smoked cheddar melts into the pasta water for the creamiest sauce. It’s comfort food with a delicious upgrade!

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Ingredients & Substitutions

You’ll find the full list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions in the printable recipe card below, but here are some helpful notes and swaps:

• Elbow Macaroni – Any short pasta works (penne, shells, rotini).
• Ground Bison – Lean, slightly sweet, and flavorful. Sub with ground beef, turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative.
• Apple-Smoked Cheddar Cheese – Adds smoky depth. You can use regular cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
• Onion & Green Bell Pepper – Adds sweetness and crunch. Swap with white onion or any bell pepper.
• Garlic – Fresh or garlic powder (½ to 1 teaspoon).
• Tomato Sauce & Tomato Bouillon – Brings ketchup-like cheeseburger vibes. Substitute with tomato paste if needed.
• Butter or Olive Oil – For sautéing.

How to Make Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Bison

Step 1: Cook Noodles. Bring water and salt to boil. Add macaroni and cook uncovered for 12 minutes. Remove from heat — do not drain.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics. In a large skillet, heat butter or oil and sauté onion, green pepper, and garlic for 2 minutes until translucent. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3: Cook Bison. In the same skillet, brown ground bison. Drain fat if needed.

Step 4: Combine. Return aromatics to the skillet, add pasta with cooking water, tomato sauce, and bouillon. Bring to a boil uncovered.

Step 5: Add Cheese. Turn off heat, sprinkle cheese on top, cover until melted, and serve warm.

Optional Variations

This homemade cheeseburger helper is an utter delight, but there’s plenty of room for customization. Here are some ideas to try:

• Make it Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free noodles.
• Spicy Tex-Mex Mac & Cheese: Swap green bell peppers for roasted poblanos and use pepper jack cheese for extra heat. For another flavor-packed version, try my Green Chile Bacon Macaroni & Cheese.
• Enchilada Hamburger Helper: Use red bell peppers and swap tomato sauce for red chile sauce.
• Change Up the Protein: Try lean ground beef, chorizo, ground turkey, or ground chicken. For a vegetarian version, use meatless crumbles or grated extra-firm tofu.

Storage & Reheating

Store easy macaroni and cheese with ground bison leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing this pasta, as the texture of the sauce and noodles can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes to Try

Bison Steak Tatanka Tacos

Mexican Picadillo

Spicy Green Chile Bacon Mac and Cheese

Easy Macaroni Salad with Cheese, Spam, & Dill Pickles

If you tried this Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Bison or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!