Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 + ½ cups milk
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 2 cups elbow macaroni pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat oil and brown beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering, about 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up into small pieces, until browned on all sides, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and sauté until they become tender and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste until evenly incorporated. Season the mixture with salt, ground black pepper, and paprika, mixing well to combine the flavors.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the milk and beef broth (or water), then add the uncooked elbow macaroni. Stir everything together thoroughly and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer pasta: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to medium. Let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the pan, until the pasta is tender and cooked through.
- Incorporate cheese: Remove the lid and add shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
- Serve: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use lean ground beef or substitute ground turkey.
- Feel free to add your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers or peas during the sautéing stage.
- If you prefer a creamier sauce, add a splash more milk at the end as you mix in the cheese.
- Stir frequently during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
- This dish can be easily doubled to feed a larger crowd or to save leftovers.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free friendly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
