Description

A rich, creamy, one-pan comfort food dish featuring tender egg noodles, savory ground beef, and a gooey cheddar-cream cheese sauce. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping.

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
12 ounces egg noodles (fresh or dried)
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: 1 cup chopped green beans
Optional: 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce

Instructions

If using dried noodles, boil in salted water until al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, toss with butter, and set aside. If using fresh noodles, skip this step.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain most grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Transfer beef to a bowl.
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
Stir in heavy cream and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Return beef to the skillet and add noodles. Stir to coat. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually add shredded cheddar, stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and glossy.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If too thick, add a splash of milk or broth. Serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles as they will finish cooking in the sauce. Use room temperature cream cheese to prevent lumps. Grate your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 520
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 650
Fat: 24
Saturated Fat: 12
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 2
Protein: 28

Keywords: cheesy ground beef goulash, comfort food, one-pan dinner, egg noodles, easy weeknight meals, meal prep, family dinner