Description
A quick and easy one-pot meal featuring tender pasta and seasoned ground beef in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights and customizable to suit dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni
- 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups (600 ml) whole milk (or 2% milk; almond or oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper
- Optional: diced bell peppers or mushrooms
- Optional: gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free pasta for gluten-free version
Instructions
- Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until fully browned with no pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Reduce heat to medium. Stir in unsalted butter until melted. Sprinkle in all-purpose flour and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook off raw flour taste.
- Slowly whisk in milk and beef broth. Continue stirring until mixture thickens, about 4-5 minutes, coating the back of a spoon with a smooth texture.
- Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add uncooked elbow macaroni, ensuring pasta is submerged in the sauce. Cover with lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Remove lid and stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Add a splash more milk if sauce is too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or Worcestershire sauce as needed. For extra richness, stir in a small pat of butter.
- Serve immediately. Leftovers can be reheated gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Notes
Brown the beef well for flavor and texture. Stir pasta regularly during simmer to prevent sticking. Use sharp cheddar cheese for best melt and flavor. Adjust liquid as needed depending on pasta brand. Worcestershire sauce adds essential umami depth. For dairy-free, substitute milk and cheese with plant-based alternatives. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: cheeseburger helper, one-pot meal, creamy pasta, ground beef recipe, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe