Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- Extra cheese for topping
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook 6-8 minutes until browned. Leave 1 tablespoon fat in pan.
- Add diced onion and cook 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and cayenne. Stir 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
- Pour in beef broth, milk, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and scrape up browned bits.
- Bring to boil over medium-high heat.
- Add elbow macaroni and stir well.
- Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered 12-15 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes, until pasta is tender.
- Remove from heat.
- Add cream cheese in dollops and sprinkle cheddar cheese over top.
- Let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth and creamy.
- Adjust consistency with milk if needed. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Don’t drain all beef fat – leave 1 tablespoon for flavor
- Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking
- Remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent graininess
- Cream cheese makes it extra creamy
- Sauce thickens as it sits
- Add milk when reheating to restore creaminess
- Ground turkey or chicken works as substitute
- Freezes for up to 2 months but texture changes slightly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 545 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 825 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 105mg