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Creamy One-Pot Cheeseburger Macaroni Recipe with Tangy Pickled Onions Made Easy

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A quick and easy one-pot meal combining creamy cheese sauce, savory ground beef, tender macaroni, and tangy pickled onions for a comforting and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15 preferred)
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni (regular or whole wheat)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup whole milk (2% works too)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup pickled onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef. Stir and cook until onions soften and turn translucent, about 3 minutes.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Push beef and onions to one side of the pan. Add butter to the empty side and let it melt. Sprinkle flour over the butter and stir to form a paste. Cook for about 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly pour in beef broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add milk, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Add elbow macaroni to the simmering sauce. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Cook uncovered until pasta is tender but slightly firm, about 10-12 minutes. Add broth or milk if sauce becomes too thick.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Serve topped generously with tangy pickled onions.

Notes

Do not skip the roux step to avoid gritty sauce. Stir frequently to prevent pasta from sticking. Add pickled onions just before serving to keep their crunch. Adjust liquid as needed during cooking. Use sharp cheddar for best flavor and meltability. For dairy-free or vegetarian versions, substitute ingredients accordingly.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheeseburger macaroni, creamy pasta, quick dinner, pickled onions, comfort food, easy recipe

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