Description
Shredded beef mac and cheese brings comfort right to your dinner table with hearty, tender meat melting into creamy pasta goodness. Delicious dinner solution that delivers maximum flavor and zero fuss for hungry families craving something seriously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound shredded beef
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup cream cheese
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
- Gather your shredded beef and ensure it’s fully heated through in a skillet with salt and pepper for 4-5 minutes at medium-high temperature.
- Boil 4 quarts of salted water and cook 2 cups elbow macaroni for exactly 8 minutes until perfectly al dente, then drain completely.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat for 2 minutes, whisking carefully to prevent burning.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup flour into melted butter, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a smooth roux.
- Slowly pour 2 cups milk and 1 cup cream cheese into roux, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper to the sauce.
- Stir 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese into sauce until completely melted and silky smooth.
- Fold cooked macaroni and heated shredded beef gently into cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake at 350°F for 22 minutes until top turns golden and edges become bubbly.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley over the casserole before serving hot.
Notes
- Choosing the right beef cut like chuck roast or brisket ensures tender, flavorful shredded meat that melts into the mac and cheese.
- When preparing cheese sauce, grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded varieties for smoother, creamier results.
- Add extra depth by mixing in smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to complement the rich beef and cheese flavors.
- For a lighter version, swap whole milk for low-fat milk and use reduced-fat cheese without sacrificing too much creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Beef
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 621 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 23 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg