High Protein Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Beef and Corn
Elevate your comfort food game with this High Protein Macaroni and Cheese featuring hearty ground beef and sweet corn. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines creamy cheddar-infused pasta with savory, protein-packed ground beef and bursts of juicy corn kernels. The silky cheese sauce, flavored with paprika, garlic, and onion, is homemade and irresistibly rich, bringing unbeatable flavor to every bite. Ready in just 45 minutes and serving up to six, this one-pot recipe is a delicious, family-friendly twist on classic macaroni and cheese. Whether you're looking for a quick, satisfying dinner or a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering, this dish checks all the boxes for flavor, nutrition, and ease.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small chunks with a spatula, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the frozen corn kernels to the skillet with the beef. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the corn is heated through. Remove from heat.
In a separate large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, forming a roux.
Gradually whisk in the milk to the roux, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is well coated.
Gently fold the beef and corn mixture into the macaroni and cheese.
Transfer to a serving dish and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3168 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 206.7 g | 265% | |
| Saturated Fat | 103.7 g | 518% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 669 mg | 223% | |
| Sodium | 4346 mg | 189% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 173.0 g | 63% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.2 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 38.1 g | ||
| Protein | 174.5 g | 349% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.4 mcg | 27% | |
| Calcium | 2318 mg | 178% | |
| Iron | 13.4 mg | 74% | |
| Potassium | 2620 mg | 56% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
