Description
Comfort meets excitement in this mac and cheese sloppy joes mashup that delivers pure culinary joy. Hearty ground beef mingles with creamy pasta, creating a crowd-pleasing meal where you’ll savor every messy, delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
Vegetables:
- ½ cup (75 g) diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce or ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pasta:
- 1 ½ cups (200 g) elbow macaroni or small pasta
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
- 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Serving:
- 4–6 burger buns, toasted
Optional Toppings:
- Pickles
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat a spacious cast-iron skillet over medium flame and crumble the ground beef into the pan, cooking until deep brown and thoroughly separated.
- Eliminate any accumulated fat from the meat, then introduce finely chopped onions, sautéing until translucent and aromatic.
- Incorporate minced garlic and briefly toast to release its robust flavor profile.
- Pour in tomato sauce along with Worcestershire sauce, allowing the brown sugar to caramelize and enhance the meat’s richness.
- Sprinkle smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground pepper to develop a complex and layered seasoning.
- Reduce heat and let the mixture gently simmer, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and allow flavors to meld harmoniously.
- While sauce reduces, prepare soft hamburger buns, splitting and warming them for optimal texture.
- Once sauce reaches a thick, clingy consistency, fold in shredded cheddar and cream cheese to create a luxurious, creamy transformation.
- Generously spoon the cheesy beef mixture onto prepared buns, ensuring each sandwich is abundantly covered.
- Serve immediately, allowing the warm, decadent filling to tantalize taste buds with its rich, comforting essence.
Notes
- Elevate flavor by using a blend of ground meats like beef and pork for added richness and complexity.
- Reduce sodium content by choosing low-sodium tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce, perfect for heart-healthy diets.
- Transform this dish into a gluten-free option by serving on gluten-free buns or over cauliflower rice for a lighter alternative.
- Jazz up the mac and cheese topping with crispy bacon bits or a sprinkle of green onions for extra texture and visual appeal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg