Simple Creamy Beef & Mac – One Dish Meal!

This simple and delicious, creamy beef & mac meal is perfect for a quick week-night one dish dinner on a cold, winter evening or anytime. Ground beef and macaroni and corn combined with a creamy sauce is hearty, comfort food at it’s finest!

It’s Monday (catch-up day) around here. Heaps of laundry have somehow miraculously accumulated yet again over the weekend, not to mention all the random things cluttering our living space. And what shall I prepare for dinner today? I know! Something quick and easy, like Creamy Beef & Mac!

I don’t know about you, but for us there’s something so cozy and satisfying about a bowl of hot and delicious creamy beef & mac for supper on a chilly winter day. Need an idea for a last-minute lunch? With a little forethought (thawing the beef if it’s frozen) this comfort meal comes together in about 30 minutes (one of many reasons why we love it)!

Creamy beef & Mac is also a traditional Mennonite recipe, and both of us grew up eating it now and then. I like to pair this with a side salad for a hearty and delicious meal!

This recipe makes a fairly large batch, resulting in handy leftovers for later. You can also freeze the leftovers, though I prefer storing them in the fridge for a very convenient lunch for us the next day!

Tips for Creamy Beef & Mac

To thaw frozen ground beef fairly fast, submerge in warm water. There’s also a defrost setting on most microwaves, if you have one.

Softened cream cheese is recommended for this creamy beef & mac recipe, and my favorite way of doing that is by setting the block of cream cheese, (still wrapped), on my stovetop warm zone set to the lowest setting.

Home preserved corn is best in this beef & mac meal, though frozen or canned works as well.

Likewise, homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup is also tastier and better than store-bought, though clearly not as convenient, so either works well!

Supplies you may need

• Large pot
• Frying pan
• Measuring spoons
• Can opener

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef, cooked and drained
• 2 cups raw macaroni, cooked and drained
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup milk
• 1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese
• 1 (12 oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• parsley, for garnish (optional)

How to make Creamy Beef & Mac

First of all, start by cooking your macaroni in a large pot, until soft, according to package instructions.

While the macaroni is cooking, cook and brown the ground beef in a separate pan.

I would also put the cream cheese on the warm zone while the macaroni and beef are cooking.

Drain the cooked macaroni and return to the large pot. Now add in the cooked and drained ground beef, the cup of corn, the block of softened cream cheese, the cup of milk, the can of mushroom soup, teaspoon of salt, and black pepper to taste.

Heat together on medium to low heat for about 10 minutes or until cream cheese and mushroom soup are all melted and incorporated.

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. Enjoy!

Creamy Beef & Mac stores well in the fridge 3 to 4 days. To reheat leftover Creamy Beef & Mac, add a splash of milk, to avoid drying out leftovers.

Variations for Creamy Beef & Mac

Ground beef is our favorite choice of meat for this recipe, though any ground meat would work.

This dish is traditionally made without a lot of spice; however, feel free to add any or all of your favorites!

Use your favorite corn, whether that be canned or frozen. We use home grown and preserved frozen corn. Also you can add in any of your favorite cooked veggies such as green beans, broccoli, peas, etc.

The macaroni can easily be exchanged for your favorite pasta or even noodles work well!

Have you tried Creamy Beef & Mac?

Leave a comment below!

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’til next time,

Julie