RECIPE: Hamburger Mac

Hands down, home made hamburger mac beats the store-bought variety in a box. Everybody wins, it's easy to make, and my kids love it!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb grassfed ground beef
• Olive oil
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 2 c broth
• 1 c water
• ½ c ketchup
• 1 small can tomato paste
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1 box macaroni
• 3 tsp butter
• 3 tsp flour
• 1 c milk
• 1 c shredded cheese
• Fresh parsley and green onion garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in skillet and add ground beef, breaking into chunks to brown. After 5 min, add onion.  Cook these until meat is browned and onion is soft, stirring often.
2. Add broth, water, ketchup, tomato paste, garlic, salt and pepper to the meat and onions.  Stir well, then add macaroni.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until noodles are al dente (~10 minutes).
3. While noodles cook, combine butter and flour in a saucepan over medium heat.  Whisk 1-2 minutes until it starts to brown slightly, then add milk and whisk everything until it is smooth.  Cook until the mixture begins to thicken (4-5 min), then remove from heat and add cheese.  Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
4. Combine the cheese to hamburger-macaroni and stir to mix everything together.  Serve with parsley, chives, or green onion garnish!