Description
Comfort meets creativity in this mac and cheese sloppy joe fusion, blending creamy pasta with zesty ground beef for an irresistible comfort meal. Hearty and indulgent, this dish promises to satisfy your cravings with its rich, cheesy goodness and bold flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Pasta:
- 1 ½ cups (200 grams) elbow macaroni or small pasta
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce or ketchup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (75 grams) diced onion
Cheese Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) milk
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
Seasoning:
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Serving Ingredients:
- 4–6 burger buns, toasted
Optional Toppings:
- Pickles
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Transform the ground beef in a spacious skillet over medium heat, crumbling the meat until it browns evenly and releases its rich flavors.
- Incorporate diced onions and sauté until they become translucent, then introduce minced garlic and allow its aromatic essence to permeate the mixture.
- Infuse the meat with tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, seasoning with salt and pepper to create a robust and tangy base.
- Reduce the heat and let the sloppy joe mixture simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a deep, complex flavor profile.
- Simultaneously, prepare the macaroni in boiling water until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, then drain and set aside.
- Craft a creamy cheese sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour to create a smooth roux that will serve as the foundation for the mac and cheese.
- Gradually stream milk into the roux, continuously stirring to prevent lumps and create a velvety sauce that thickens beautifully.
- Remove the sauce from heat and fold in sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until it melts completely and becomes luxuriously smooth.
- Season the cheese sauce with mustard powder, salt, and pepper, then gently fold in the cooked macaroni, ensuring each pasta piece is generously coated.
- Toast the burger buns until they achieve a golden, crisp exterior that will provide a delightful crunch.
- Assemble the sloppy joes by layering the spiced meat mixture onto the bottom bun, then crown with a generous helping of creamy mac and cheese.
- Optionally garnish with pickles or sliced green onions for added freshness and texture, then cap with the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Beef Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef with 85-90% meat content for the best flavor and texture without excessive grease.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Shred cheese freshly instead of using pre-shredded varieties, as it melts more smoothly and creates a creamier mac and cheese sauce.
- Customize Heat Levels: Adjust spiciness by adding hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the sloppy joe mixture for those who enjoy extra kick.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour for cornstarch when thickening the cheese sauce and use gluten-free buns to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg