Cheesy Beef Macaroni Bake
A hearty and delicious dish of tender macaroni mixed with savory ground beef and gooey cheese, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 500 g elbow macaroni Cook until al dente.
Meat
- 500 g ground beef Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
- 50 g cooked bacon bits Optional, for extra flavor.
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 625 ml milk Whole milk is recommended.
- 200 g shredded cheddar cheese
- 100 g shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preparation
- Set the oven temperature to 180°C and preheat the oven.
- Cook elbow macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
Cooking Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and ground beef, cooking until the beef is browned. Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Remove from heat.
Making the Sauce
- In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Add cheddar cheese and half of the mozzarella, stirring until smooth and fully melted.
Combining Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni, beef mixture, cheese sauce, and cooked bacon bits. Mix until everything is well coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Baking
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the surface is golden and cheese is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for several minutes.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
Cook the macaroni just until al dente so it doesn’t get mushy after baking. Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition. Use different types of cheese for varied flavors—try using pepper jack or gouda for a spicy kick. For a crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top before baking.