Creative Meatball Macaroni And Cheese Recipe That Kids Adore

Meatball macaroni and cheese elevates classic comfort food into a hearty, irresistible feast that blends two beloved dishes.

Robust flavors and creamy textures create a mouthwatering combination guaranteed to satisfy serious hunger pangs.

Tender meat-packed spheres nestled among cheesy pasta promise a delightful culinary adventure for hungry families.

Incredibly rich and satisfying, this recipe elevates traditional mac and cheese with savory protein-packed additions.

Childhood memories of warm, gooey pasta merge seamlessly with the robust satisfaction of perfectly seasoned meatballs.

Comfort food enthusiasts will appreciate the ingenious fusion of familiar ingredients crafted into something extraordinary.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of melted cheese, tender pasta, and succulent meat that feels like a warm embrace.

Meatball Macaroni and Cheese That’s Rich and Cheesy

• Craft Irresistible Comfort Food: This meatball macaroni and cheese combines two classic favorites into one mouth-watering dish that guarantees pure culinary satisfaction.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: The recipe teaches essential skills like perfectly broiling meatballs, creating smooth cheese sauce, and achieving ideal pasta texture without complex methods.
• Quick and Delicious Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this meal comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families craving a hearty, homemade dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality treat.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: The flexible recipe allows easy variations with different cheese blends, meat options, or added spices, letting home cooks put their personal stamp on a beloved comfort classic.

What You’ll Need for Meatball Mac and Cheese

• Ground Beef: Lean meat with good fat content for juicy, flavorful meatballs.
• Breadcrumbs: Helps bind meatballs and create tender texture.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent to hold meatballs together.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds bright flavor to meatball mixture.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth to the meat mixture.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing meat flavor.

• Elbow Macaroni: Classic pasta shape that holds cheese sauce well.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts smoothly and provides rich flavor.
• Butter: Creates smooth base for cheese sauce.
• Flour: Helps thicken the cheese sauce.
• Milk: Provides creamy liquid for sauce base.
• Nutmeg: Subtle spice that enhances cheese sauce complexity.

• Salt: Enhances overall dish flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth to the dish.

How to Make Creamy Macaroni with Hearty Meatballs

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until 2 minutes before package instructions. Drain without rinsing or adding oil.

Step 2: Create Meatball Mixture

Mix meatball ingredients gently, avoiding overmixing.

Step 3: Shape and Broil Meatballs

• Form 1
• Place on oiled baking sheet
• Position oven rack second from top
• Broil 5-6 minutes until browned
• Shake pan occasionally for even cooking
• Ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F

Step 4: Craft Cheese Sauce

• Melt butter
• Whisk in flour
• Cook while whisking 1 minute (avoid browning)
• Slowly add milk, whisking continuously
• Heat until mixture simmers and thickens
• Remove from heat
• Stir in shredded cheese
• Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg

Step 5: Combine and Bake

• Mix pasta with cheese sauce
• Transfer to baking dish
• Nestle meatballs into mac and cheese
• Bake 20 minutes until bubbling
• Optional: Briefly broil for extra browning

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and serve hot.

Tips to Keep Mac and Cheese from Drying Out

• Choose Quality Meat: Select ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicy, flavorful meatballs that won't dry out during cooking.
• Prevent Cheese Separation: Grate cheese yourself and add slowly to sauce while off direct heat to ensure smooth, creamy texture without graininess.
• Master Meatball Technique: Mix meat gently with a light touch to keep meatballs tender, avoiding dense or tough results.
• Perfect Pasta Consistency: Cook pasta just under package instructions since it will continue baking in cheese sauce, preventing mushy texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sprinkle extra sharp cheddar or parmesan on top before final broiling for a rich, golden-brown crispy crust.

Storage Tips for Meatball Mac and Cheese Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Transfer cooled meatball mac and cheese to an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent moisture loss and absorption of other food odors.
• Reheating: Warm individual portions in the microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of milk to restore creaminess if the sauce looks dry. Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Freezing: Wrap the dish securely in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil.

Sides That Work Great with Mac and Cheese

• Boost Flavor Pairings: Serve this hearty meatball mac and cheese with a crisp green salad dressed in tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the dish.
• Wine Companion Selection: Pair with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel, whose robust flavors complement the savory meatballs and creamy cheese sauce.
• Fresh Herb Topping: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil on top to add a bright, fresh element that elevates the entire comfort food experience.
• Crunchy Side Kick: Add garlic bread or toasted breadcrumbs on top for a delightful textural contrast that brings extra crunch to the creamy mac and cheese.

Fun Ways to Change Up Meatball Macaroni Dinners

• Spicy Southwest Meatball Mac: Transform the classic recipe by adding diced jalapeños to the meatball mixture and using pepper jack cheese in the sauce. Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on top for extra crunch.
• Mediterranean Lamb Meatball Edition: Replace beef with ground lamb, mix in fresh mint and oregano. Use feta cheese instead of cheddar and garnish with chopped parsley for a Greek-inspired version.
• Smoky Bacon Meatball Fusion: Incorporate crispy bacon bits into the meatball mixture and mix crumbled bacon into the cheese sauce. Top with additional crispy bacon crumbles before baking for intense smoky flavor.
• Substitute meat with spiced lentil and mushroom meatballs made from cooked lentils, breadcrumbs, and sautéed mushrooms. Use a blend of smoked gouda and cheddar for rich, creamy texture.

Meatball Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty meatball macaroni and cheese brings Italian comfort to classic American cuisine. Robust beef meatballs nestled in creamy, golden cheese sauce promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 0.5 pounds ground beef
• 0.5 pounds sweet Italian sausage meat
• 2 large eggs

Bread and Cheese Binders:

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup dried breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients:

• 0.75 pounds elbow noodles
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2.5 cups milk
• 0.75 pounds shredded cheese
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 pinch nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Boil water in a large pot with salt and cook pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain pasta without rinsing or adding oil.
2. In a mixing bowl, gently combine meatball ingredients, ensuring not to overmix the meat mixture.
3. Shape meat mixture into small 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) spheres, placing approximately 30 meatballs on a lightly greased baking sheet.
4. Position oven rack on the second level from the top and broil meatballs for 5-6 minutes, rotating pan occasionally to ensure even browning. Verify internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
5. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
6. Melt butter in a medium saucepan, then whisk in flour, stirring continuously for one minute without allowing mixture to brown.
7. Gradually pour milk into the roux, whisking consistently until the sauce simmers and slightly thickens. Avoid boiling.
8. Remove sauce from heat and gradually incorporate shredded cheese, stirring until completely melted. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if desired.
9. Fold pasta into cheese sauce, ensuring thorough coating. Transfer mixture to a baking dish and nestle broiled meatballs throughout.
10. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until mixture is bubbling. Optional: Briefly broil for additional browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Notes

• Perfectly broiled meatballs add a protein-packed punch to this classic comfort food, transforming traditional mac and cheese into a hearty meal.
• Shake the broiling pan during cooking to ensure meatballs brown evenly and develop a delicious caramelized exterior.
• Internal meatball temperature matters: 160°F guarantees safe and juicy meat without compromising texture or flavor.
• Whisk constantly when making the cheese sauce to prevent burning and create a smooth, creamy base that coats every pasta noodle.
• Nestling meatballs directly into the mac and cheese allows them to absorb and infuse the cheesy goodness during the final baking stage.
• Running the dish under the broiler for a brief moment creates an irresistible golden-brown crispy top that adds textural contrast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Boiling/Broiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 590 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 880 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg