One-Pan Cheesy Ground Beef Macaroni Skillet
A comforting, kid-friendly whole-wheat macaroni skillet with savory ground beef and real cheddar cheese. Made entirely in one pan without added sugars or cooked peppers for a fast weeknight dinner.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Rachael + Lila
Rachael created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Total
30 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet
Time saver
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Heat 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil in…
- 01
Heat 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil in…
Heat 1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C) for 1 minute.
Allow: 1 minute
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add 1
Add 1.5 lbs (680g) lean ground beef and 1 diced yellow onion to the hot skillet, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon for 6 to 8 minutes until browned with no pink remaining.
Look for: browned with no pink remaining
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves
Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp salt; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 04
Pour in 1 can (15 oz /…
Pour in 1 can (15 oz / 425g) crushed tomatoes and 3 cups (720ml) low-sodium beef broth, stirring well to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Add 3 cups (300g) uncooked whole-wheat elbow…
Add 3 cups (300g) uncooked whole-wheat elbow macaroni, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in liquid.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Bring the liquid to a boil
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until the macaroni is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
Look for: the macaroni is tender and most liquid is absorbed
Tap card to mark done - 07
Remove lid
Remove lid, remove pan from heat, and stir in 1.5 cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese until completely melted and creamy.
Look for: completely melted and creamy
Tap card to mark done - 08
Allow to rest uncovered for 3 to…
Allow to rest uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken before serving warm in bowls.
Allow: 3 to 5 minutes
Tap card to mark done
Made this recipe?
Leave a quick rating or a cooking tip for the next woman.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.