"I Hit Gold"

Cheeseburger Macaroni

"I Hit Gold" Cheeseburger Macaroni

Yields: 6-8 servings

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

• ½ white onion, diced

• ½ red bell pepper, diced

• ½ green bell pepper, diced

• ½ yellow bell pepper, diced

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)

• 1.5 tablespoons salt

• 1.5 tablespoons black pepper

• 1.5 tablespoons paprika

• 1 tablespoon chili flakes

• 1 cup cream cheese, softened

• ⅓ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

• ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

• ½ cup pasta water

• 2.5 cups cooked macaroni

• 1-2 cups heavy cream

Equipment:

• Large skillet or Dutch oven

• Separate skillet (for ground beef)

• Measuring spoons and cups

• Spatula or spoon

Instructions:

1. Sauté Vegetables:

   • In the large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.

   • Add the minced garlic, diced onion, and diced bell peppers (red, green, and yellow).

   • Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

2. Cook Ground Beef:

   • In the separate skillet, cook the ground beef until it's about ¾ done.

   • Drain any excess grease from the beef.

3. Combine Beef and Vegetables:

   • Add the partially cooked ground beef to the large skillet with the sautéed vegetables.

   • Continue cooking the beef until it's fully browned and cooked through.

4. Season the Beef:

   • Season the beef and vegetable mixture with salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.

   • Cook for about 8 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

5. Add Cheeses and Pasta Water:

   • Stir in the softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and pasta water.

   • Cook, stirring frequently, until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.

6. Combine with Macaroni:

   • Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet.

   • Stir thoroughly to combine the macaroni with the cheesy beef mixture.

7. Finish with Heavy Cream:

   • Pour in the heavy cream, starting with 1 cup.

   • Stir until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Add more heavy cream as needed.

8. Serve:

   • Serve the cheesy beef and macaroni hot.

Tips and Notes:

• Pasta Water: The pasta water adds starch, which helps thicken the sauce and bind the ingredients together.

• Cheese Variations: Feel free to substitute other cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or pepper jack, for a different flavor profile.

• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of chili flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.

• Vegetable Variations: You can add other vegetables, such as mushrooms or diced tomatoes, to the skillet.

• Heavy Cream: The amount of heavy cream can be adjusted to make the dish creamier or thicker.