If you like Mac and Cheese and you like Sloppy Joe's, then combine them into one great tasting dish. It starts with a ground beef layer on the bottom, followed by a homemade macaroni and cheese layer, which is then topped off with a bread crumb topping.
Beef:
1 T. vegetable oil
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 1/2 t. yellow mustard
1 c. ketchup
2 t. brown sugar
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Macaroni and Cheese:
8 oz. elbow macaroni
2 T. butter
2 T. flour
1/4 t. dry mustard
1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. milk
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
salt, to taste
Bread Crumb Topping:
1 c. fresh bread crumbs
2 T. butter, melted
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil; add ground beef and onions; cook, stirring, until beef is no longer pink and onions are lightly browned. Discard excess grease.
In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, mustard, ketchup, and brown sugar; stir into ground beef mixture; season with salt and pepper, to taste; set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 2 to 2 1/2 quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Cook macaroni in well salted boiling water according to package directions; drain; rinse with hot water; set aside.
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 T. butter; stir in flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add dry mustard and freshly ground black pepper; add milk; cook; stir, until thickened. Stir in cheese; add salt, to taste.
Combine macaroni with cheese sauce. Spoon ground beef mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with the macaroni and cheese mixture.
Combine bread crumbs with melted butter, mixing well to coat all crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over the mac and cheese layer.
Bake 25 - 35 minutes, until hot and the topping is lightly browned.
4-6 servings.