Description
A hearty and creamy loaded mac and cheese featuring tender ground beef and a rich cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and parmesan, perfect for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 onion (diced)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Spices
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- ½ pound elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
- ¼ cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain well and set aside.
- Prepare the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced onion and ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks until it is no longer pink and fully cooked through.
- Season the Beef: Drain excess fat from the beef if necessary, then return the skillet to the heat. Stir in chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder, mixing well to evenly distribute the spices. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a large pot, melt the salted butter over medium heat. Once fully melted, sprinkle in the all purpose flour and stir continuously to form a roux. Cook for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Add Milk and Cheese: Gradually pour in the whole milk, whisking constantly to combine and prevent lumps. Once the mixture is smooth and has thickened slightly, add the sharp cheddar and parmesan cheeses. Stir until the cheeses have fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine All Ingredients: Add the cooked macaroni and seasoned ground beef into the cheese sauce. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta and beef with the creamy cheese sauce.
Notes
- You can substitute sharp cheddar with a cheese blend for a different flavor profile.
- For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper when seasoning the beef.
- Drain the ground beef well after cooking to reduce grease in the dish.
- Use whole milk for a richer sauce, but 2% milk can be used as a lighter option.
- Serve immediately for best texture, or keep warm on low heat stirring occasionally.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: mac and cheese, loaded mac and cheese, ground beef recipe, cheesy pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, skillet mac and cheese
