DinnerMain Course

Quick Beefy Mac and Cheese

Name: Quick Beefy Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 200 g macaroni; 40 g cheese powder mix from one box of macaroni and cheese; 450 g lean ground beef; 1 pcs yellow onion finely chopped; 225 g canned sliced mushroom drained; 1 tbsp olive oil; 60 ml milk; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 0.5 tsp salt; 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground; 2,000 ml water for boiling pasta

A classic weeknight comfort food combining creamy macaroni and cheese with savory ground beef, onions, and mushrooms. This simple meal comes together quickly for a hearty and satisfying dinner that the whole family will enjoy.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time: 30 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Per serving: 473 kcal

Allergen information: may contain gluten and milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.

Mise en place

Ingredients

200 gmacaroni
40 gcheese powder mix, from one box of macaroni and cheese
450 glean ground beef
1 pcsyellow onion, finely chopped
225 gcanned sliced mushroom, drained
1 tbspolive oil
60 mlmilk
2 tbspunsalted butter
0.5 tspsalt
0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
2,000 mlwater, for boiling pasta

Equipment

large skillet · large pot · colander · spoon · cutting board · knife

The method

Step by step

1
Bring the water to a rolling boil in a large pot.
About 8 min
2
While the water heats, warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Using a separate skillet allows you to cook the meat mixture while the pasta boils, saving time.
3
Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it begins to soften.
About 4 min
4
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned.
About 6 min
5
Drain any excess fat from the skillet, then stir in the drained mushrooms, salt, and black pepper.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Leaning the skillet and using a spoon to hold back the meat while you pour off the fat is an easy way to drain it.
6
Once the water is boiling, add the macaroni and cook according to package directions, typically 7-8 minutes, until al dente.
About 8 min
7
Drain the cooked macaroni and return it to the empty hot pot.
About 1 min
8
Add the unsalted butter and milk to the hot macaroni, stirring until the butter has melted.
About 1 min
9
Sprinkle in the cheese powder mix and stir vigorously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
About 1 min
10
Pour the beef and mushroom mixture from the skillet into the pot with the mac and cheese.
About 1 min
11
Stir everything together until well combined and serve immediately.
About 1 min

Per serving

Nutrition

53%Score

Calories: 473.1kcal
Protein: 32.2g
Carbs: 41.6g
Fat: 18.4g
Fibre: 3.1g
Sugar: 3.9g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat portions in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to prevent drying out.