Description
Homemade mac and cheese blends creamy cheddar with tender pasta for a classic American comfort dish. Rich cheese sauce and golden breadcrumb topping create a nostalgic meal that connects you to cherished family memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Sauce and Cheese:
- 2 (15 ounces) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (14.5 ounces) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Ignite the oven to a warm 350F (175C), preparing for a comforting culinary journey.
- Submerge elbow macaroni in rapidly boiling water, extracting it three minutes ahead of package recommendations. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Activate a large skillet over intense heat, introducing ground beef and finely chopped onion. Disintegrate the meat while cooking for 6-7 minutes, eliminating any lingering fat.
- Infuse aromatic minced garlic into the meat mixture, allowing it to release its essence for one minute. Cascade Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes, blending them harmoniously.
- Elevate the flavor profile with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Conduct a quick taste test, calibrating seasonings to personal preference.
- Intertwine the pre-cooked macaroni with shredded cheddar cheese. If the skillet tolerates oven temperatures, transition directly into the preheated oven. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a suitable baking vessel. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface becomes effervescent and cheese transforms into a molten landscape.
- Unveil the goulash piping hot, inviting diners to savor this robust, cheese-laden comfort creation.
Notes
- Prep the pasta al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, ensuring a perfect bite every time.
- Drain beef thoroughly to reduce excess grease and prevent a watery final dish, maintaining rich flavor and proper consistency.
- Consider swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise taste.
- Experiment with cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked gouda to elevate the classic recipe and add unexpected depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 413 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg