One-Pan Cheesy Italian Mac 🔥✨ (Like Hamburger Helper, But Better)
This One-Pan Cheesy Italian Mac is everything you loved about Hamburger Helper—only better, cheesier, and made with real ingredients. No draining, minimal dishes, and maximum comfort food vibes in one ridiculously easy meal!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 ¾ cup milk
- 2 cups stock I use whatever I have on hand I like to do half vegetable and half chicken
- 2 ¾ cups dry uncooked macaroni
- 1 ½ cups tomato or pasta sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese mozzarella or cheddar
Instructions
- 1️⃣ Brown the beef. Throw that ground beef into a big pot with diced onions and let it do its thing. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are softened.
- 2️⃣ Wake up the flavors. Add garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, mustard, red pepper flakes, and salt. Let it sizzle for a minute or two—this makes the flavors POP.
- 3️⃣ Everything in the pot. Pour in the milk, extra broth (I used a mix of vegetable and chicken broth, which was chef’s kiss flavorful), pasta, and tomato sauce. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and let it do its thing for about 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking.
- 4️⃣ Cheese time. Stir in 1 cup of shredded cheese until it’s all melty and gorgeous. Sprinkle the rest on top, cover, and let it sit for a few minutes so it gets extra gooey.
- 5️⃣ Devour. Try not to eat the whole pot in one sitting. (Or do. No judgment.)