Description

Combine the goodness of mac and cheese with tomatoes and ground beef or turkey and a few veggies. This dish will please everyone in the family.

Ingredients

• 4 T. unsalted butter or margarine
• 2 medium red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 t. kosher salt or to taste
• 1 t. dried oregano
• 1 t. paprika, regular or smoked
• 3/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 T. tomato paste
• 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey
• 1 lb. elbow macaroni, regular or whole wheat
• 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 c. whole milk
• 15 oz. can crushed tomatoes including juices
• 1 c. chicken broth or stock
• 3 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees with the rack in the middle position. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Grease a 5 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the bell peppers, onion, garlic, salt, oregano, paprika, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft but not browned, about 7 - 10 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste, stir, and cook about 1 minute. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking meat into smaller pieces, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.