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Creamy One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

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A quick and easy one-pot comfort meal combining savory ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and a creamy sharp cheddar cheese sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 2 cups (200 g) uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups (720 ml) beef broth (preferably low-sodium)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and fragrant.
  3. Pour in beef broth, milk, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
  4. Add uncooked elbow macaroni to the boiling mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender but still holds its shape.
  5. Remove lid and gradually stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy. Add a splash more milk if sauce is too thick.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir to blend all flavors.
  7. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting. Stir frequently during pasta cooking to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning after adding cheese to avoid over-salting. For gluten-free, substitute pasta and broth accordingly. Variations include adding vegetables, spicy kick, or swapping meat and dairy for dietary preferences.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheeseburger macaroni, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe, ground beef, macaroni and cheese

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/creamy-one-pot-cheeseburger-macaroni-recipe-easy-comfort-meal/