To totally avoid using CMAKE, you can simply:
Build your project as you normally with Make through the terminal.
Change your CLion configurations, go to (in top bar) :
Run -> Edit Configurations -> yourProjectFolder
Change the Executable
to the one generated with Make
Change the Working directory
to the folder holding your executable (if needed)
Remove the Build
task in the Before launch:Activate tool window
box
And you're all set! You can now use the debug button after your manual build.