# Filthy Mac n Cheese

- Servings: 8 servings
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner
- Difficulty: medium
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 2 lb ground beef (80/20)
- 1 pk beef bacon
- 1 whole white onion, diced
- 2 whole bell pepper, diced
- 3 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 whole jalapeño, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp Salt-Free Tony's Creole Seasoning
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 lb cavatappi pasta
- 1 lb mozzarella, shredded
- 1/2 lb pepper jack, shredded
- 1/2 lb colby jack, shredded
- 8 oz sharp cheddar, shredded
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 12 oz evaporated milk
- 2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- to taste scallions (optional)
- to taste crispy fried onions (optional)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper

## Instructions

1. Chop and cook beef bacon until crispy, then set aside, keeping the fat in the pan.
2. Sear ground beef in the bacon fat until a crust forms, then drain the excess fat.
3. Stir in tomato paste and cook for a few minutes to remove the raw taste.
4. Add minced garlic, minced jalapeños, Salt-Free Tony's, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and salt, mixing well.
5. Add diced onion and bell peppers and cook for about 2 minutes.
6. Add Worcestershire sauce and mix together, then drain the filling in a colander.
7. Cook cavatappi pasta in salted water for 11 minutes and set aside.
8. Melt butter over medium heat, add half the reserved seasoning blend, and toast for a few seconds.
9. Mix in flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
10. Slowly whisk in evaporated milk and heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and thick.
11. Whisk in the remaining seasoning blend and Dijon mustard, then turn off the heat.
12. Gradually add half of the shredded cheese mixture to the sauce until melted.
13. Fold in the cooked cavatappi until fully coated, then stir in half of the meat filling.
14. Layer half the mac and cheese into a baking dish, add the remaining meat filling, half of the remaining cheese, and the rest of the mac and cheese.
15. Top with remaining cheese and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, then broil until golden.

## Tips

- Drain the fat from the ground beef until it is 'dry and dusty'.
- Get as much grease out of the filling as possible before it goes into the mac.
- Add cheese one handful at a time to keep the sauce temperature stable.
- Use scallions or crispy fried onions for topping.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1565580241617080/?fs=e&fs=e
- Creator: Ronald Dajoh
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/34835204-ce71-49bb-be96-6f0e358ef214
- Extracted: 2026-09-05

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt