Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef is my family’s new favorite meal! Creamy, cheesy pasta with hearty seasoned ground beef … nothing better. Plus, it’s super simple to make and packed with protein!
Mac and cheese is, without a doubt, the ultimate family friendly comfort food! I’ve shared my Grandma’s recipe for easy baked macaroni and cheese, and added veggies to white cheddar broccoli mac and cheese. But this time, I wanted to amp up the protein, bringing macaroni and cheese from side dish status to main dish star. This mac and cheese with beef is definitely a winner!
This mac and cheese with ground beef is almost like a homemade version of Hamburger Helper, but – in my opinion – way better!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Protein-packed – I know we don’t think of pasta as a protein-packed dish, but this loaded mac and cheese brings loads of protein thanks to cheese, milk, and beef!
- Family favorite – It doesn’t get much more kid-friendly than mac and cheese, and that’s definitely true for this ground beef mac and cheese. It’s always gobbled down!
- Perfect weeknight entree – With just 11 ingredients and only 30 minutes to make it, this mac and cheese with beef is fast and easy, making it an amazing weeknight option.
- Cheesy and delicious! – With cheddar and Parmesan, this loaded mac and cheese is super creamy and so full of cheesy flavor.
Recipe Notes
This Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef recipe is as simple as promised! Just 30 minutes for a family friendly dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
For the ground beef filling:
- Onion – You’ll need one onion, diced. I like to use a yellow onion but a white one will work nicely too.
- Ground beef – I prefer a lean ground beef such as 85/15 or 90/10.
- Chili powder – This might be a surprising ingredient in mac and cheese, but trust me when I say that just a teaspoon worth makes a huge difference! It adds great flavor for the best loaded mac and cheese recipe.
- Garlic powder & onion powder – Found in the spices and herbs section at the grocery store, both of these are a great way to add flavor without additional chopping.
- Salt
For the macaroni and cheese:
- Elbow macaroni – I prefer the classic elbow macaroni in my loaded mac and cheese, but another medium shape such as shells or penne would work well, too.
- Butter – For the roux, which, along with the flour, helps create a thick, rich sauce. I prefer to use salted butter here.
- Flour – All-purpose flour is best for a roux.
- Milk – I prefer to use whole milk for a rich and creamy sauce, but 2% will work if that’s what you have.
- Cheddar cheese – I like sharp for maximum flavor, but you can use mild, medium, or sharp; whichever you prefer.
- Parmesan cheese – Finely grated Parmesan melts smooth and adds such great flavor.
- Salt & pepper – Add more or less to taste.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Ground Turkey Mac & Cheese– Swap in ground turkey for the beef for a leaner yet still hearty version.
- Jalapeno Ground Beef Mac & Cheese– Stir in 2 chopped jalapeno peppers with the cheese. Leave the seeds in for a spicier version; scrape them out first for a less spicy mac.
- Loaded Ground Beef Mac & Cheese with Bacon– Stir 1/2 cup of bacon bits in with the ground beef.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef.
Add the ground beef and onion to a hot skillet. Cook the ground beef until no longer pink.
Drain off the fat, then stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder. Set the beef aside.
In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter, then sprinkle in the flour. Stir and cook for about a minute.
Stream in the milk, stirring constantly, then add the cheeses. Mix until the cheese is completely melted.
Add the cooked pasta and ground beef to the sauce.
Stir until the beef and pasta are coated with the cheese sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Stream in the milk slowly – And whisk it well. This will help prevent lumps in your sauce.
- Cook the pasta al dente – It will continue cooking once it’s added to the warm sauce, so cooking it just until it’s al dente makes it perfect once its’s served.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use pre-shredded/pre-grated cheese – You can buy already-shredded/grated cheese at the grocery store. Sometimes the cheese may have anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting completely smoothly, so keep that in mind – but it will still taste great.
- Prep ahead – Cook your ground beef and pasta ahead of time, then place it in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days ahead of time. Then it’s just a matter of making the sauce and stirring in the beef and pasta.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef After Cooking
- Allow loaded mac and cheese to cool to room temp, then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or freezer bag.
- Label, date, and transfer to freezer.
- Thaw overnight inthe fridge.
- Reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments (stir in between heating).
What to Serve with Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of traditional American cuisine, it will pair well with many of your favorite classic side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Perfect Oven Roasted Vegetables or Garlic Roasted Vegetables
- Best Ever Garlic Bread or Pesto Cheese Bread
- Italian House Salad or Steakhouse Style House Salad
Loaded Mac & Cheese with Ground Beef Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Loaded Mac & Cheese Bites– Scoop out balls of cold mac and cheese and line them up on a baking sheet. Freeze for around 30 minutes. Whisk an egg and dip the balls into the egg, then into a bowl full of seasoned breadcrumbs. Cook in an air fryer at 350°F for about 15 minutes.
- Loaded Chili Mac– Stir a can of your favorite chili into the leftover mac and cheese, then spread in an 8×8 casserole dish. Cover with a layer of shredded cheddar and bake until bubbly and warmed through.
Recipe FAQ’s
What is the best pasta for mac and cheese?
My favorite pasta is a medium shape with a hollow center to grab the sauce. Macaroni is a classic and always a winner. Penne or small shells are great, too.
What meat pairs well with mac and cheese?
It all depends on personal preference! As in this ground beef mac and cheese, beef is excellent in mac and cheese. Ground chicken or ground turkey also works well. Ham, cooked bacon bits, or sliced hot dogs are popular meat additions too.
More EASY Ground Beef Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy beef recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Beef Bulgogi Bowls
- Ground Beef Nachos
- Loaded Cheeseburger Bowls
- Ground Beef Quesadillas
- Cheesy Beef Enchilada Skillet
Loaded Mac and Cheese with Ground Beef
Ingredients
For the Ground Beef Filling
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the Macaroni and Cheese
- ½ pound elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni per package directions. Drain and set aside.
- While the macaroni cooks, prepare the ground beef. In a large skillet over medium high heat, add the ground beef and onion. Cook the ground beef for 5-7 minutes, breaking up as you cook, until it is done, no longer pink.
- Once done, drain, then return to burner and stir in the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder. Set aside.
- To make the cheese sauce: melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once melted, sprinkle in the flour and stir until combined. Let cook about 1 minute.
- Slowly stir in the milk, and mix until combined. Then add the parmesan and cheddar cheese and mix until cheese is melted and combined into sauce.
- Add macaroni noodles and beef into the cheese sauce and mix to combine.
Recipe Notes
- Elbow macaroni: Can substitute small shells or penne.
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