Hamburger Mac & Cheese

Let's Set Up the Ingredients

1. Preparing the veg

   I like getting all of my ingredients ready in advance so that once I start cooking, I can add ingredients without any interruptions. I like to prepare my vegetables first so that my utensils and cutting boards are not contaminated by raw meat. 

   Chop up red bell pepper. onion, garlic. 

2. Prepare the seasoning

   In a small ramekin dish, place measurements of salt and pepper, beef bouillon and garlic powder.  Mix the spices together.

Let's start cooking the ground beef

1. Seasoning and browning of meat

   Heat a large non-stick pan with oil.  Add ground beef and seasoning.  Brown meat stirring occasionally.

2. Once ground beef is almost browned add in onions and red pepper and sauté till onions are translucent and ground beef is no longer pink.    If you are using mushrooms  add them to the pan now and sauté with the onions, peppers and ground beef.

Time to make the broth

1. Prepare the ingredients

   Measure out Ketchup, tomato paste and beef broth.  I prefer to do this instead of just adding it from the packaging.  This eliminates overpouring.  Nothing is worse for a recipe than too much of an ingredient.  You can't take it back.  

2. Combine meat and broth ingredients

   Once ground beef is browned, stir in ketchup and tomato paste . Let it simmer for 10 mins to flavor the ground beef mixture well. Add in broth and water You can add a little salt & pepper and garlic powder to the broth as well.  Season to your taste. 

   Stir sauce and let it simmer for 1/2 hour so all those great flavors that were just added will enhance the sauce. 

3. Time to add Macaroni

   This recipe is great because you don't have to cook your pasta in a separate pot.  All you have to do is add the macaroni right into the hot bubbling sauce. 

    

Now we add the other main ingredient Macaroni

1. Cook macaroni to package directions.  I usually notice it is ready around 10 - 12 mins.

   Once macaroni is cook add Cheese sauce. 

Cheese Sauce

1. Start with a Roux

   The best part of this recipe is the fantastic cheese sauce that is added at the end.  

   Melt butter in a saucepan.  Add flour and paprika, stir to make a roux.  

   The roux color is dark now but it will lighten up with the cream and cheese. 

   The paprika not only gives the sauce great seasoning but it also helps create that great orange color to a perfect cheese sauce.

    

    

2. Turn Roux into a Creamy Sauce

   Add in the milk a little at a time and whisk continuously so that you don't get any lumps.

   Add in 3/4 of cheese and stir consistently to ensure a smooth velvety texture. 

   The sauce will thicken.  

    

    

3. Mac and Cheese Time

   Add Cheese Sauce to pan with macaroni and beef.

4. The Final Touch

   Sprinkle the 1/4 cup of cheese over top and then add parsley. Cover and let cheese melt. All you have to do now is serve yourself a big bowl and enjoy.