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Comforting Skillet Beef and Cheese Macaroni

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A quick and easy skillet macaroni dish combining hearty ground beef and melty cheeses for a cozy, satisfying meal ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 2 cups (200 g) elbow macaroni
  • 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 ½ cups (600 ml) beef broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet over medium heat and warm 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, watching closely to avoid burning.
  4. Crumble the ground beef into the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink and slightly browned, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in salt, pepper, and tomato paste, mixing well to coat the beef and veggies.
  6. Pour in beef broth, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Add dry elbow macaroni and stir well to submerge completely. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
  8. Cook pasta for about 12-15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and check liquid level. Pasta should be tender but firm and liquid mostly absorbed.
  9. Remove lid and sprinkle shredded cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top. Gently fold cheese into the pasta and beef mixture, allowing it to melt smoothly, about 2-3 minutes.
  10. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of warm milk to loosen.
  11. Serve hot immediately.

Notes

Stir pasta gently every 5 minutes to prevent sticking and avoid breaking noodles. Use a tight-fitting lid to trap steam and cook pasta evenly. If liquid evaporates too quickly, add more broth or water. For a crispy edge, use a cast iron skillet. Leftovers store well for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of milk or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: skillet beef macaroni, cheese macaroni, quick dinner, easy comfort food, ground beef recipe, cheesy pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/comforting-skillet-beef-and-cheese-macaroni-easy-30-minute-recipe/