Description
Classic meatball macaroni and cheese brings comfort and richness to dinner tables across North America. Hearty protein-packed meatballs complement creamy cheese sauce, creating a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.5 lb (226.8 g) ground beef
- 0.5 lb (226.8 g) sweet Italian sausage meat
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) dried breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
- 0.75 lb (340.2 g) elbow noodles
- 3 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups (600 ml) milk
- 0.75 lb (340.2 g) shredded cheese
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Salt boiling water and cook pasta 2 minutes shy of package instructions, then drain without rinsing or adding oil.
- Meatball Crafting: Gently combine ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, herbs, and seasonings. Form compact 1-inch spheres and arrange on a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Meatball Roasting: Position oven rack near top and broil meatballs 5-6 minutes, rotating pan for uniform browning. Confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F using meat thermometer.
- Cheese Sauce Foundation: In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour, creating a smooth roux without browning. Gradually stream milk, stirring continuously until sauce thickens and simmers gently.
- Cheese Integration: Remove sauce from heat, gradually fold in shredded cheddar, parmesan, and monterey jack cheeses. Season with salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg, stirring until cheese melts completely.
- Casserole Assembly: Preheat oven to 325°F. Fold cooked pasta into cheese sauce, ensuring thorough coating. Transfer to baking dish, strategically nestling broiled meatballs throughout the mixture.
- Final Baking: Bake 20 minutes until casserole bubbles enthusiastically. Optional: Brief broiling for golden-brown surface, monitoring closely to prevent scorching.
Notes
- Prevent Meat Overmixing: Gently combine meatball ingredients to maintain tender, juicy texture and avoid tough, dense meatballs.
- Pasta Cooking Tip: Undercook pasta by 2 minutes to prevent mushiness during final baking, allowing it to absorb cheese sauce perfectly.
- Cheese Sauce Technique: Whisk continuously while adding milk to create smooth, lump-free roux and prevent sauce from scorching or separating.
- Meatball Temperature Safety: Use meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 160°F, ensuring complete and safe cooking without drying out proteins.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Boiling/Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 493
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 844 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 118 mg