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Creamy Loaded Cheeseburger Macaroni

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A quick and easy 30-minute dinner recipe combining creamy cheese sauce, savory ground beef, and elbow macaroni for a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 225 grams)
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
  • 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (200 grams)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (115 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, or pickles

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef. Break it up as it cooks, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Once browning, add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in all-purpose flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux.
  4. Slowly whisk in milk and beef broth. Continue whisking until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes, until it coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Lower heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and softened cream cheese until melted and smooth. Mix in Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  6. Add drained macaroni and cooked beef mixture to the cheese sauce. Stir gently to combine evenly. Let heat through for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors and thicken sauce slightly.
  7. Spoon into bowls and garnish with optional toppings like chopped green onions or crispy bacon bits if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch and use gluten-free pasta. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting and texture. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of milk or broth; if too thin, simmer longer while stirring. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid greasiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheeseburger macaroni, creamy pasta, ground beef recipe, comfort food, quick dinner, cheesy macaroni

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/creamy-loaded-cheeseburger-macaroni-recipe-easy-30-minute-dinner-idea/