Beefy Mac and Cheese

Name: Beefy Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound elbow macaroni (dry); 1 pound extra lean ground beef; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup chopped onions ((use less onions, if desired)); 15 ounces tomato sauce; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 sprig fresh parsley, chopped ((see instructions for measurements)); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon steak seasoning ((such as Montreal Steak Seasoning)); 8 ounces block cheddar cheese, shredded ((you will shred the cheese yourself))

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This Beefy Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food combo! It comes together when creamy cheesy mac and cheese meets hearty ground beef with tangy tomato sauce, and a dash of sour cream for that extra dose of yum!

If you've got one pan, a strainer, and 20 minutes, then you've got yourself a tasty meal! Just cook some ground beef and onion, toss in cooked elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, sour cream, garlic, seasonings, and a generous amount of cheddar cheese! Now, wasn't that easy?

Cooked hamburger mac and cheese in skillet.

Why You'll Love Mac and Cheese with Meat

Everybody loves Mac and Cheese! But what happens when you add ground beef? It elevates this classic dish into a hearty and satisfying meal that busy parents and hungry kids will go wild about.

Easy stovetop method. No need to heat up the oven for this one! You'll thank me if you're making this on a hot summer day 🙂

Some of you might be reminiscing about eating Hamburger Helper as a kid; this recipe is sort of like Hamburger Helper but way better!! It's a fresher, cleaner version of an old-fashioned classic.

What Goes In It

Let's talk about the ingredients for this beefy mac and cheese recipe:

Ingredients measured out in individual containers.

Elbow macaroni - to start the recipe, cook the pasta al dente, drain it, and let it sit in a colander or pasta strainer while you proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Ground Beef - use lean ground beef such as 90/10; if using anything lower than 90/10 be sure to drain off the grease after you brown it. While cooking the ground beef, use your spatula to break it up into small pieces.

Yellow onion - use mini food chopper to chop or mince the onion; it's the fastest, easiest way to chop an onion (with almost no tears, haha).

Cheddar cheese - you can use mild or sharp cheddar cheese (sharp will definitely add more flavor punch). Shred your own cheese for the best flavor and texture. It only takes a couple of minutes to do it and worth the extra effort.

Tomato sauce - adds a delightful tanginess to the beefy mac and cheese, balancing the richness of the ground beef and cheese. Love it!

Sour cream - by adding just a half cup of sour cream, you'll love how creamy it makes the casserole and it helps to bind all the flavors together. It's a nice touch to the recipe!

Montreal Steak Seasoning - known for its bold and savory taste, it enhances the overall flavor of this dish. Plus, its a convenient way to add a variety of flavors in one step. I use it on a regular basis!

Additional seasonings - for added flavor (because that's what we all really want, right?), I like to also add garlic powder, pepper, and a little salt.

Ingredient Substitutions

Choose your favorite pasta: penne, shells, or twists.
Instead of ground beef, try ground chicken, turkey, or venison.
Swap out the cheddar cheese with pepper jack
Use a teaspoon of onion powder instead of fresh onion.
Greek yogurt is a good replacement for sour cream.

Recipe Variations

Add a 10-oz can of Rotel tomatoes for a nice flavor blast.
Use 2-4 teaspoons of chili powder (or taco seasoning) to add a touch of spice.
Add more veggies - saute a small amount of chopped bell pepper and celery with the onions. Or add a cup of shredded carrots or a handful of fresh baby spinach.

How to Make Beefy Mac and Cheese

You'll love the simplicity of it!

Cooked macaroni in pasta strainer. — Step 1 - cook the macaroni.

Cooked ground beef and onion in skillet. — Step 2 - cook the ground meat and onion.

Tomato sauce, sour cream, and seasonings added to meat mixture in skillet. — Step 3 - add the tomato sauce, sour cream, and seasonings to the pan.

Cooked macaroni added to meat mixture in skillet. — Step 4 - add the macaroni to the pan.

Cheese added to meat mixture in skillet. — Step 5 - add the cheese!

Completed beefy mac and cheese in skillet. — Step 6 - garnish with fresh chopped parsley!

What to Serve With It

Mac and Cheese with Meat can be served all by itself, but you can add a side or two to stretch the meal further. Heck you can even place a scoop of it between two slices of toasted garlic bread (yeah, I went there!). Here are a few more side dish suggestions:

Simple green salad
Seasoned green beans
Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Creamy Shoe Peg Corn Salad

Recipe Tips

Choose a pasta that will "hold on" to the beefy cheese mixture such as elbow macaroni, shells, rotini, penne, etc.
Cook the pasta al dente, which means removing the pasta from the boiling water before it gets tender. It will, however, get tender while it sits in a pasta strainer or colander until you need it.
Flavor is everything! So be sure to taste test the beefy mac and cheese mixture before serving it.

Experiment with Toppings

Feeling adventurous? As a final step, top the beefy mac and cheese with cooked and crumbled bacon, sliced jalapeno peppers, or buttered and toasted breadcrumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ground beef should I use for beefy mac and cheese?

Lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) will result in a lower-fat dish, while higher-fat ground beef (80% lean) can add more flavor and richness. The choice depends on what you typically like to use.

Can I make beefy mac and cheese ahead of time?

If you want to get a jump start on this recipe and finish it later, I suggest cooking the meat mixture (steps 2 and 3) then letting it cool off completely. Cover and refrigerate it for 1-2 days. Then when you're ready to finish the recipe, cook and drain the pasta. Combine the hot pasta with the meat mixture in a pan over medium heat. Add half the cheese, stir well, and add the remaining cheese. Stir until blended and cheese is melted. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Can you freeze it?

Freezer Meal - If you want to make the entire dish and freeze it for later, it's really important to undercook the pasta since it can get a little mushy after freezing it and thawing it. I suggest cooking the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain it and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. Proceed with the recipe directions as is, let it cool, then pop into the freezer in an airtight container. Label it with the date and enjoy within 3 months.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The fastest way to reheat beefy mac and cheese is in the microwave. Place a serving on a plate and cover it with another plate. Heat on 50% power for 1 minute, stir, and reheat again at 50% power for another minute, if needed.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes

If you tried this recipe, please let me know by leaving a comment! I'd love to hear from you.

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Recipe

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.