Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this creamy beef and mushroom macaroni, blending rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Savory beef, earthy mushrooms, and silky pasta combine for a satisfying meal that promises to comfort and delight you.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (250 g)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (100 g)
Dairy and Sauce Components:
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1/2 cup milk (120 ml)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (100 g)
- 2 tbsp cream cheese (30 g)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (15 g)
- 2 tbsp butter (30 g)
- 1/4 cup diced onions (40 g)
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains, approximately 7-8 minutes.
- Remove beef from skillet, drain excess fat, and set meat aside while keeping the pan ready for subsequent cooking.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté diced onions until translucent and slightly golden, releasing their aromatic sweetness.
- Add sliced mushrooms to the onions, cooking until they release moisture and develop a rich, caramelized texture, about 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the mushroom mixture, stirring to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Reintroduce the cooked ground beef to the skillet, gently combining with the mushroom and onion mixture.
- Simultaneously, cook elbow macaroni in a separate pot of salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes, then drain.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring to create a smooth, luxurious sauce.
- Incorporate cream cheese and shredded cheddar, continuously stirring until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce becomes creamy and uniform.
- Fold the cooked macaroni into the beef and cheese sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is generously coated.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish to the dish.
- Serve immediately while hot, allowing the creamy sauce and tender beef to deliver maximum flavor.
Notes
- Meat Selection: Choose lean ground beef with 85-90% meat content to minimize excess fat while maintaining rich flavor and juicy texture.
- Mushroom Tip: Pat mushrooms dry before cooking to achieve better caramelization and prevent watery sauce consistency.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove skillet from direct heat when adding cheeses to prevent potential separation and ensure smooth, silky sauce.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives and use lactose-free dairy products for individuals with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 696
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 830 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg