Cheesy Beefy Mac - Get your kids to eat their vegetables! Serve them this beefy mac and cheese dish that is chock full of vegetables.
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Servings 8servings
Ingredients
8ounceselbow macaroni
cooking spray
1cupchopped onion
3ribscelerychopped
1red or green bell pepperchopped
2teaspoonsminced garlicoptional
1cupshredded carrots
1poundlean ground beef
1cuptomato sauce
1teaspoonsaltdivided
½teaspoonblack pepper
1cuplow-fat milk
2tablespoonsall-purpose flour
2cupsreduced-fat sharp cheddar cheesegrated
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350.
Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and hold while you proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray and add the onion, celery, bell pepper, carrots and garlic (if using). Saute 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain ground beef and return to pan along with reserved vegetables, tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.
Add cooked macaroni to beef/vegetable mixture and stir to combine well.
Spoon the beef and macaroni mixture into an 11x7 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Place milk, flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Stir with a whisk until well blended. Cook over medium heat 2 minutes or until thickened, stirring constantly with a whisk.
Add 1 cup cheese, stirring until smooth.
Pour cheese mixture over pasta mixture and stir together.
Top evenly with remaining 1 cup cheese.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.