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Creamy One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pot meal combining ground beef, elbow macaroni, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni (about 7 oz)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 oz)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: handful of frozen peas or finely chopped bell peppers

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up until fully browned. Drain excess fat if desired.
  2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce, coating the beef and veggies evenly.
  4. Add elbow macaroni and beef broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender but not mushy.
  6. Lower heat to low. Slowly add milk and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring gently until cheese melts into a creamy sauce. If using, add frozen peas or bell peppers and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let stand a few minutes to thicken before serving.

Notes

Keep heat low when adding cheese to avoid curdling or grease separation. If sauce is too thick, add more milk or broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered a bit longer. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting. Brown beef well for deeper flavor. Optional veggies can be added for nutrition and color.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheeseburger macaroni, quick dinner, easy recipe, family meal, creamy pasta, ground beef, comfort food

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/creamy-one-pot-cheeseburger-macaroni-dinner-easy-recipe-for-busy-nights/