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Cheesy Beef Macaroni Bake

Cheesy Beef Macaroni Bake

Cheesy Beef Macaroni Bake is a hearty comfort food, combining creamy cheese, seasoned beef, and macaroni into a delightful dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: PASTA
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Elbow Macaroni can substitute with whole wheat or chickpea pasta
For the Meat and Veggies
  • 1 lb Ground Beef can substitute with turkey or plant-based crumbles
  • 1 medium Onion can substitute with shallots
  • 2 cloves Garlic fresh is best, minced works as well
  • 1 cup Cooked Bacon Bits optional
For the Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tbsp Butter can substitute with margarine
  • 0.25 cup Flour can use gluten-free flour
  • 2 cups Milk almond or oat milk can substitute
  • 2 cups Cheddar Cheese can try Gruyère for variation
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese can substitute with Colby cheese
For the Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt adjust to taste
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp Paprika consider smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder optional if using fresh garlic
  • 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning can substitute with oregano or basil
For the Garnish
  • 0.25 cup Chopped Parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large pan
  • separate saucepan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) and let it preheat fully.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente, around 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Sauté Vegetables and Meat: Heat olive oil in a pan, add onion, cook until softened, then add garlic and ground beef. Cook and season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  4. Prepare Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk until thickened. Mix in cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella until smooth.
  5. Combine Mixtures: In a mixing bowl, combine macaroni, beef mixture, cheese sauce, and bacon bits if using. Stir until mixed.
  6. Bake: Transfer to a greased baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella, and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  7. Rest and Serve: Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 480kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For optimal results, don't overcook the pasta and mix ingredients thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution.

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