Cheesy Beef Macaroni Bake (Print Format)

Tender macaroni, seasoned beef, and melty cheese baked to bubbly, golden perfection for hearty comfort food.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 500 g elbow macaroni
02 - 500 g ground beef
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
10 - ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
11 - 2 tablespoons butter
12 - 2 tablespoons flour
13 - 2½ cups milk
14 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
16 - ½ cup cooked bacon bits
17 - Chopped parsley (for garnish)

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
02 - Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a pan, add onion and cook until soft. Add garlic and ground beef, season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned.
04 - In another pan, melt butter, add flour, and stir for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened. Stir in cheddar and half of the mozzarella until melted and smooth.
05 - Combine macaroni, beef mixture, cheese sauce, and bacon (if using).
06 - Transfer to a greased baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella.
07 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly.
08 - Garnish with parsley and let rest a few minutes before serving.