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Easy One-Pot Lazy Beef Velveeta Mac and Cheese

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A quick and comforting one-pot mac and cheese with ground beef and creamy Velveeta cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni (about 225 grams)
  • 1 pound ground beef (450 grams), lean to medium-fat
  • 8 ounces Velveeta cheese (225 grams), cubed
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (30 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (16 grams)
  • 2 cups whole milk (480 ml)
  • 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Brown well for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains and some caramelization forms. Drain excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon for flavor.
  2. Lower heat to medium. Stir in the butter until melted. Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste and thicken the sauce.
  3. Slowly whisk in the milk and beef broth, stirring to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce starts thickening.
  4. Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.
  5. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni and stir well to submerge it in the liquid. Cover with a lid and cook on medium-low for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. Add the cubed Velveeta cheese and stir gently off heat or on very low heat until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove from heat and let sit covered for a couple of minutes to thicken further.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or chives.

Notes

Stir gently after adding Velveeta to avoid breaking the pasta. If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it without losing creaminess. Let ground beef brown well for deeper flavor. Cook roux gently to avoid raw flour taste. Simmer liquids on low heat to thicken sauce gradually.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, mac and cheese, beef, Velveeta, comfort food, quick dinner, easy recipe

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/easy-one-pot-lazy-beef-velveeta-mac-and-cheese-recipe-for-quick-comfort-meal/