One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tbsp garlic (minced)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cups elbow noodles (uncooked)
• 3 cups beef broth
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp sugar
• 0.25 cup tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• garlic powder (to taste)
• onion powder (to taste)
• paprika (to taste)
• chili powder (to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.

2. 2

   Add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.

3. 3

   Add the minced garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder. Stir thoroughly so the seasonings coat the beef, then cook for 1–2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly.

4. 4

   Pour in the beef broth and add the uncooked elbow noodles. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.

5. 5

   Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are tender and most of the broth has been absorbed.

6. 6

   Add the heavy cream and freshly grated cheddar cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy and evenly combined.

7. 7

   Cover and cook for a few additional minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving hot.

Notes

The transcript indicates that the sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomato paste. Freshly grated cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. The recipe does not specify amounts for the seasonings, so add them to taste.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pot
• weeknight dinner
• family-friendly
• comfort food
• stovetop
• quick dinner
• back-to-school