Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese is a cheesy and savory recipe, which is made with ground beef and elbow macaroni in a tangy sauce. It’s the ultimate one-pot comfort food, ready in about 30 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 1/2 cups beef broth
• 12 ounces elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 2/3 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Hot sauce, to taste
• 2 1/2 cups grated mild Cheddar
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

How To Make Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

1. Brown the Beef and Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, garlic, bell pepper, and onion. Season with the chili powder and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, crumbling the beef as you go, until it is cooked through and the vegetables are soft.
2. Add Liquids and Pasta: Stir in the beef broth, uncooked macaroni, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and a few dashes of hot sauce.
3. Simmer Until Cooked: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pan, reduce the heat, and cook for 9 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is cooked to al dente and the sauce has thickened.
4. Stir in the Cheese: Remove the pan from the heat. Add the grated cheddar cheese and stir until it is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
5. Serve: Taste and adjust the seasonings with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the creamiest sauce? The secret is to shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses are coated in starches that can make your sauce gritty. Also, be sure to stir the cheese in off the heat to prevent it from becoming oily.
• How do I prevent mushy pasta? It’s important to cook the macaroni just until it’s “al dente,” meaning it still has a slight bite. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce and soften a little more after you remove it from the heat.
• Can I bake this mac and cheese? Yes! To turn this into a baked casserole, pour the finished mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. Top with extra shredded cheese and some crushed tortilla chips or buttered breadcrumbs, then bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
• Can I make this ahead of time? This dish is at its absolute best when served fresh and hot from the skillet, as the pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits. If you do have leftovers, you may need to add a splash of beef broth or water when reheating to loosen the sauce.

What To Serve With Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

This is a hearty, all-in-one comfort food meal. It is perfectly served on its own, but also delicious with:

• A crisp dill pickle spear
• A simple green salad with a tart vinaigrette to cut the richness
• Warm cornbread or garlic bread

How To Store Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The sauce will thicken considerably as it cools.
• Reheat: Reheat gently in a saucepan on the stove over low heat, adding a generous splash of milk or beef broth and stirring frequently until it is hot and creamy again.

Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Nutrition Facts

• Serving: 1/6th of recipe
• Calories: 680 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 65g
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 32g
• Saturated Fat: 16g
• Sodium: 1550mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Italian Sloppy Joes Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Sloppy Joes Recipe

Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe

Author: Hamdi Saidani Cooking Method:Stovetop Cuisine:American Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 20 minutesRest time: 5 minutesTotal time: 35 minutesCooking Temp:100 CServings:6 servingsEstimated Cost:25 $Calories:680 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

The ultimate one-pot comfort food, this dish combines a savory, saucy sloppy joe with creamy macaroni and cheese for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion, diced u0026 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Spices: 2 tsp chili powder, salt, pepper.
• 3 1/2 cups beef broth
• 12 oz. elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 2/3 cup ketchup, 1 tbsp mustard, 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 1/2 cups grated mild Cheddar

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook the ground beef, garlic, bell pepper, and onion with chili powder, salt, and pepper until the beef is browned.
2. Stir in the beef broth, uncooked macaroni, ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and hot sauce.
3. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 9 to 10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
4. Remove the pan from the heat.
5. Stir in the cheddar cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this one-pot recipe is to cook the uncooked pasta directly in the sauce; this is the secret to a thick, flavorful dish with less cleanup.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the creamiest, smoothest sauce, always shred your own cheese from a block instead of using the pre-shredded kind.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t overcook the pasta; it should be al dente with a slight bite, as it will continue to soften in the hot sauce.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis dish is a perfect, hearty meal for a busy weeknight as it all comes together in one pan in about 30 minutes.u003c/liu003e

Keywords:Pioneer Woman Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese Recipe