Description
Hearty homemade cheeseburger macaroni delivers comfort classic with bold flavor combinations straight from mom’s kitchen. Rich beef, melted cheese, and tender pasta create a satisfying meal that brings warm memories to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups dry cavatappi pasta or macaroni noodles
- 2 cups (8 ounces) grated yellow sharp cheddar cheese
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt or table salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Liquid and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 small onion, diced
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large deep skillet over medium heat until it sizzles and releases a rich aroma, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add diced onions to the melted butter, stirring occasionally until they become translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the meat is completely browned and no pink remains.
- Incorporate tomato paste into the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes to intensify the flavor.
- Sprinkle all dry seasonings and flour over the meat, mixing well to coat every morsel. Toast the spices for 1 minute to eliminate any raw flour taste.
- Gradually whisk in beef broth and milk, creating a smooth liquid base that will transform into a creamy sauce.
- Add pasta to the skillet, increasing heat to high to bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Immediately reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta for 10-12 minutes until tender and sauce begins to thicken, absorbing all the rich flavors.
- Remove from heat and fold in grated cheddar cheese, stirring until completely melted and creating a luxurious, creamy coating over the pasta and meat.
- Let the dish rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to set before serving hot and enjoying the comforting cheeseburger macaroni.
Notes
- Ensure ground beef is lean to prevent excess grease pooling in the dish, creating a lighter and more balanced meal.
- Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance their aromatic compounds and deepen the overall flavor profile.
- Consider using whole wheat pasta or gluten-free alternatives for dietary modifications without compromising the recipe’s core taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg