Sloppy Joe Mac and Cheese

Recipe View Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.

Recipe View Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

Recipe View While the macaroni is cooking, brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Sloppy Joe seasoning mix. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Recipe View In a large saucepan or pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add minced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in flour, ground mustard, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to form a roux.

Recipe View In a separate bowl, whisk together half-and-half and Worcestershire sauce. Gradually whisk the half-and-half mixture into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 1-2 minutes.

Recipe View Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in 3 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to coat evenly.

Recipe View Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese.

Recipe View Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.