Best 7 Meaty Mac N Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary creation that combines the comfort of classic mac and cheese with the savory richness of succulent ground beef. This hearty dish, known as Meaty Mac and Cheese, is a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

Our collection of recipes offers a variety of takes on this beloved casserole, ensuring that there's something for every palate. From the classic combination of ground beef and cheddar cheese to unique variations featuring bacon, vegetables, and even a touch of spice, these recipes cater to diverse preferences.

Whether you're a fan of the traditional or crave something more adventurous, our Meaty Mac and Cheese recipes will satisfy your cravings. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that promises to deliver a comforting and flavorful meal that the whole family will love.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BEST-EVER MACARONI AND CHEESE



Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese image

In the South, mac 'n cheese is like everyone's favorite aunt-and this best-ever recipe beats out the rest.

Provided by Southern Living Test Kitchen

Categories     Casserole

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni, large shells, or cavatappi pasta
6 tablespoons salted butter
⅓ cup grated yellow onion
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 ½ cups milk
1 ¾ cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 ounces extra-sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided
4 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded, (about 1 cup), plus 4 oz. diced (about 1 cup), divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente.
  • Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Add next 6 ingredients; cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add flour, and cook, stirring, until golden, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Bring to a boil, whisking occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, whisking, until slightly thickened, 5 minutes. Stir in Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup each of shredded Cheddar cheeses until melted. (Reserve remaining 1/4 cup each of shredded cheeses.) Stir in pasta and diced cheeses; pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet in preheated oven until bubbly and golden, 30 minutes. Remove from oven; increase oven temperature to broil. Sprinkle with reserved shredded cheeses; broil 6 inches from heat until cheeses are melted and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from oven; cool slightly on a wire rack, about 15 minutes.

HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE



Homemade Mac and Cheese image

This is a nice rich mac and cheese. Serve with a salad for a great meatless dinner. Hope you enjoy it.

Provided by Judy

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups milk
¼ cup butter
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
½ cup bread crumbs
1 pinch paprika

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
  • In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
  • Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 858.2 calories, Carbohydrate 66.7 g, Cholesterol 141.6 mg, Fat 48.7 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 37.7 g, SaturatedFat 29.9 g, Sodium 879.3 mg, Sugar 10.7 g

CHEESE AND HAMBURGER MACARONI



Cheese and Hamburger Macaroni image

Homemade version of Hamburger Helper® - just as easy and tastes so much better! You will need a large skillet with a tight fitting lid.

Provided by macandjakesmom

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pasta     Macaroni and Cheese Recipes     Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

½ pound lean ground beef, or more to taste
½ small onion, minced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups water
2 cups elbow macaroni
8 ounces reduced-fat processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes; drain and discard grease.
  • Return skillet to burner over high heat. Add water; cover skillet and bring to a boil. Stir macaroni into the boiling water-ground beef mixture; cover and lower heat to medium. Cook, keeping covered, for 5 minutes. Stir, cover, and cook until macaroni is tender, about 5 more minutes.
  • Stir processed cheese food into ground beef-macaroni mixture until melted. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.9 calories, Carbohydrate 47.9 g, Cholesterol 60.7 mg, Fat 15.4 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 28.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 930.1 mg, Sugar 6.9 g

MEATY MACARONI AND CHEESE



Meaty Macaroni and Cheese image

Quickie meal that is loved by kids (and Dad's) alike. This isn't gourmet or fancy- just good ol' fix it fast and fill their bellies food! Kind of a copycat Hamburger Helper- but so much better! This is a 'base' recipe for the start of a healthier and fast meal that is kid and family friendly, budget friendly and uses things that are probably in your kitchen already. Perfect for those times you find your house FULL of hungry teens! Will feed four very easily- or one or two hungry teenagers! lol Posting bc yesterday my dd said "Mama, can we have Macaroni and hamburger meat tonite?" and Mama said "No baby, I have to fix a recipe I tagged on Zaar." to which she replied "Mama, you need to post that recipe on Zaar and tell everyone that kids like it- and Dad said "AND DADS TOO!" so this is for my family! Hope your family enjoys it too! and that is saves you some stress on a busy night! PLUS, this is a great carrier for those dreaded veggies when you find your kids (dads too) seem to turn their noses up to otherwise. HIDE those veggies in the cheese! lol Think peas, carrots, zucchini, etc NOTE: Instead of the box mix you can use my homemade recipe for mac and cheese recipe #135662

Provided by Mamas Kitchen Hope

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (7 ounce) box macaroni and cheese mix, use your favorite even homemade if you prefer
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter (best with real butter, do not use a spread or tub product) or 1/4 cup margarine (best with real butter, do not use a spread or tub product)
1/2 lb ground chicken (see note) or 1/2 lb ground turkey (see note)
1/2 cup onions, chopped or 2 teaspoons onion powder, adjust to taste
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped (optional)
1 garlic cloves, minced or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Prepare mac and cheese according to box directions, using salted water.
  • Meanwhile, brown meat and drain grease.Rinse meat if desired to remove even more grease.
  • Season meat with onion and garlic- fresh and sauteed can be used instead- and add any additional seasonings that your family likes. SEE NOTE - skip if using left over meat- but do reheat the leftovers.
  • Add meat to prepared mac and cheese and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
  • At this point you can add EXTRAS such as additional grated cheese, great opportunity to sneak in veggies - peas, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, etc., Use what you like or try this to entice kids to eat things they normally wouldn't.
  • I have even added some spinach to the meat mixing it in well so it is not as noticeable! Sometimes you have to be sneaky! hehehe.
  • NOTE: This is even faster when you use left over taco meat, sloppy joes, crumbled meatloaf, etc -- Add what your family likes.
  • No this isn't the healthiest meal- but it IS so much healthier for them than a greasy burger grabbed on the run, and you can make it as healthy as you choose- I have even used leftover homemade mac and cheese- No preservatives at all that way!
  • You can 'fancy' it up by topping it with extra cheese or breadcrumbs and popping it under the broiler for a minute just to brown.
  • A real time saving tip that the kids love is to put the entire mixture in a lightly sprayed casserole pan and top with biscuit dough- you can even use the ones in the can, bake per can instructions until the biscuits are done.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 428.3, Fat 22.3, SaturatedFat 11.6, Cholesterol 74.7, Sodium 540.7, Carbohydrate 37.8, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 6, Protein 19

BEST EVER MACARONI CHEESE RECIPE



Best ever macaroni cheese recipe image

This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce, a hint of mustard and uses leftover French stick for its crunchy topping

Provided by Jennifer Joyce

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 9

50g baguette, cut into small chunks
2 tbsp butter, plus 1 tbsp melted
350g spiral or other short pasta
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tsp English mustard powder
3 tbsp plain flour
500ml whole milk
250g vegetarian mature cheddar, grated
50g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Spread the baguette chunks over a baking sheet, drizzle with the melted butter and season. Bake for 6 mins until crisp, then set aside.
  • Boil the pasta for 2 mins less than stated on the pack, then drain. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the garlic and English mustard powder, cook for 1 min, then stir in the plain flour.
  • Cook for 1 min more, then gradually whisk in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce. Simmer for 5 mins, whisking all the time until thickened. Take off the heat, then stir in the cheddar and half the parmesan.
  • Stir the pasta and some seasoning into the cheesy sauce. Tip into a large ovenproof dish, or four individual dishes.
  • Scatter over the bread and the remaining parmesan, then bake for 20 mins until crisp and golden. Can be frozen before baking - defrost thoroughly before cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 860 calories, Fat 42 grams fat, SaturatedFat 25 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 88 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 9 grams sugar, Protein 38 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium

MEATY MACARONI & CHEESE



Meaty Macaroni & Cheese image

Make and share this Meaty Macaroni & Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by -------

Categories     Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced celery
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce (with tomato bits)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook mscaroni & drain.
  • Brown ground beef & drain off fat.
  • Add onions, celery, & tomato sauce to beef & cook until onions are done.
  • Mix macaroni & beef mixture.
  • Put in casseroledish & cover with shredded cheese.
  • Cover with Reynolds Wrap the first 15-20 minute
  • Bake at 350F for 25-30 minute.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440.1, Fat 12.4, SaturatedFat 4.8, Cholesterol 73.7, Sodium 1231.2, Carbohydrate 49.8, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 6.6, Protein 31.3

MEATY MAC 'N' CHEESE



Meaty Mac 'n' Cheese image

My husband is disabled and requires constant care. This doesn't leave me a lot of time to cook, so I came up with this tasty way to beef up a box of macaroni and cheese. The hearty mixture gets extra flavor from corn, ripe olives and zippy salsa. -Charlotte Kremer, Pahrump, Nevada

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 20m

Yield 4-6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups salsa
1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
3 tablespoons diced pimientos
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped tomato

Steps:

  • Set aside cheese sauce mix from macaroni and cheese; cook macaroni according to package directions. , Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the salsa, corn, olives and pimientos; cook until heated through. , Drain macaroni; add to beef mixture with contents of cheese sauce mix. Cook and stir until blended and heated through. Sprinkle with cheese and tomato.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 42mg cholesterol, Sodium 716mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a large pot to cook the macaroni so that it has plenty of room to expand.
  • Don't overcook the macaroni. It should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Use a good quality cheese that melts well. A cheddar-jack blend or a sharp cheddar are both good options.
  • Season the meat sauce well with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Don't be afraid to add your own personal touch to the recipe. You can add different vegetables, spices, or even different types of cheese.

Conclusion:

Meaty mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that is sure to please everyone at the table. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal taste. Whether you like it cheesy, meaty, or somewhere in between, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.

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