A one skillet recipe is a dinnertime life-saver, I think we can all agree on that. This ground beef and pasta recipe is very possibly the least sophisticated recipe in The Mom 100 Cookbook, and very possibly the one that my husband in particular eats as though he will be fasting for the following week. His eyes get kind of teary whenever I made this. He’ll show up for dinner early. Show
It’s nothing new under the sun (macaroni and cheese and beef; rocket science this ain’t), but once you try it you will understand the deepest meaning of the word crowd-pleaser. And (hold onto to the edge of the table) – IT ALL COOKS IN ONE SKILLET. Even the pasta, which cooks right into sauce! I know, I know! It’s the little things. Skillet for One-Skillet Cheesy Beef and MacaroniGet a huge pan, a 12 or 13-incher (best pan in the world if you cook for a group regularly), make a vat of this, keep it in the fridge. If you don’t have this huge honking pan, cut the recipe in half. If you have bigger kids who are constantly running in and out of the house with their friends, all of them starving and in need of fuel before or after soccer practice, then you, you my friend, may never again be without a batch of this One-Skillet Cheesy Beef and Macaroni awaiting reheating and inhalation. American GoulashIn some parts of the country this is known as goulash or American Goulash. I did not even know this was a thing until I started researching American Goulash recipes, and realized that this recipe was (accidentally!) the very definition of that dish. American Goulash is a tomato based ground beef meal or sorts with the pasta baked right into the mix. There is usually peppers (check), elbow macaroni (check) and cheese (check) involved.
Beef Mac and CheeseWe actually just call this ground beef pasta dish “cheesy beefy” for short, and some of the kids friends refer to it as hamburger mac and cheese. My sister-in-law Lisa with her three large boys and revolving cast of visiting teenagers swears by this. It is reminiscent of something that rhymes with Flamberger Felper, but it’s better and it’s yours. Substitutions for Cheesy Beef and MacaroniNot to be a broken record, but please, please feel free to experiment with this pretty flexible ground beef skillet recipe. The chili powder, for instance, changes the flavor from a more Italian-American vibe to slightly Mexican, but in no way crosses over into overly exotic. Use ground turkey or chicken. Add shallots. Use cumin, or maybe curry powder. Try Monterey Jack. Wear stilettos to the PTA, spit into the wind, take up rock climbing, learn to sing opera (see what happened there? Now using cumin sounds like a very reasonable experiment, as compared to singing an aria; remember, it’s just ground meat.) Green pepper is often called for in dishes like this, and it’s fine, but red (or orange or yellow) bell peppers are sweeter, and usually more kid-friendly, but this is not anything other than subjective opinion, and you shall do as you please. How to Make One-Skillet Cheesy Beef and MacaroniBrown the beef in a very large deep skillet, then wipe out the skillet, and saute the peppers, carrots, onion and garlic and sauté until almost tender, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef back to the skillet. Then add the basil, oregano, tomatoes with their juice, water, Worcestershire sauce, and chili powder if using. Season with salt and pepper, turn the heat to high, and bring to a simmer. Add the pasta and stir to combine. Lower the heat to medium and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, and most of the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. Taste and season again if needed. Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole then cover for just 1 more minute until the cheese is melty, and serve. Serve this right out of the pan.
Reheating Leftover Beefy Mac and CheeseLeftovers can be reheated on the stovetop over medium low heat (you may want to add a bit of water if it seems like it’s drying out), or in a preheated 350°F. oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Add the cheese at the very end, otherwise it has a way of dissolving right into the casserole, not staying on top in that appealing melty way. If you are serving half of it, and saving half, just sprinkle half the cheese over half the pan, leaving the rest naked for another day. Other Ground Beef and Cheese Recipes:
Other Macaroni and Cheese Recipes:
One-Skillet Cheesy Beef and MacaroniThis is total comfort food; a one dish recipe, with even the pasta cooking in the same skillet. Yield: 12 Servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition InformationCalories: 372.95kcal | Carbohydrates: 25.39g | Protein: 22.97g | Fat: 19.49g | Saturated Fat: 9.48g | Cholesterol: 71.18mg | Sodium: 198.63mg | Potassium: 406.52mg | Fiber: 2.01g | Sugar: 2.64g | Vitamin A: 2463.95IU | Vitamin C: 17.86mg | Calcium: 172.8mg | Iron: 2.52mg The nutrition values are provided as an estimate. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Made this recipe? Post a photo of your delicious creation on Instagram with our hashtag #dinnersolved How do you make Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni taste better?How to Make Hamburger Helper Taste Better? I think the best way to make HH taste better is to use stock to prepare instead of water. Also enhancing flavors by adding a little extra real cheese at the end, topping with an herb, adding a dollop of sour cream.
What goes well with cheeseburger macaroni?Pair any of them with your favorite Hamburger Helper, and you'll have a satisfying dinner that's ready in no time.. Garden Salad.. Corn on the Cob.. Sauteed Mushrooms.. Grilled Peppers.. Mac & Cheese.. Dinner Rolls.. Roasted Vegetables.. Green Beans.. What meat is good in mac and cheese?1 to 2 cups cooked cubed (or shredded) chicken, ham, pork, or beef. 1/2 to 1 pound sautéed and drained ground beef, pork, turkey or chicken (you could also add in 1 tablespoon chili powder as you sauté the meat for a more chili-like vibe).
How do I spice up Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni?1-2 tbsp fresh minced garlic (add to browning meat) or garlic powder to taste. A few shakes each of Italian Seasoning and black pepper (add to browning meat) For extra cheesy goodness, stir in a couple of handfuls of shredded cheese at the very end of cooking, or top each bowl with some.
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