The name makes it sound fancy, but it’s really quite simple. This delicious creamy beef sauce atop a bed of noodles is the ultimate comfort food. The white sauce feels decadent and indulgent. And who doesn’t love pasta noodles? 

I love this recipe for so many reasons.

For one, it’s delicious.

Two, it’s nutritious – made with protein-packed ground beef, calcium-rich milk or cream, and fiber-filled whole wheat flour.

Third, it’s a way to stretch a pound of ground beef. While we often need more than one pound of ground beef for our supper/lunch’s protein source, our grocery budget finds that hard to swallow (like the pun?). This recipe can help us get away with only using a pound. The thick creamy sauce fills in the cracks where the ground beef is missing, and it leaves us feeling full and satisfied.

Fourth, it’s made with a few simple ingredients – fridge and pantry staples. On nights when I don’t know what to make, this is a great option, as I almost always have what’s needed. Just this last Sunday, I was driving to the store wondering what I was going to make for supper that night. I would be short on time and didn’t know what I would need to buy to make dinner happen. I quickly thought of this recipe and knew it would be a good choice. I pretty much had everything I needed, and it wouldn’t take long to make once I got home from the store.

Have I peaked your curiosity? Perhaps you too are wondering what to make for dinner. This might just be the thing! Let me share it with you.

What you’ll need (see exact measurements in the bottom picture):

• 1 Onion

Onion is an aromatic that helps build flavor in a dish. I always try to have onions on hand, because they are a great way to begin a delicious meal. Sautéing them in some olive oil until they are translucent is a good way to start almost any recipe, and what is it about sautéing that feels so relaxing?

• 1 TBSP Olive Oil

Fat helps carry flavor and prevent burning. You could also use butter, coconut oil, or avocado oil – whatever you have on hand. I like using olive oil or avocado oil when I know I’ll be working with a really high heat.

• 1 LB Ground Beef

I use one pound, and it goes a long way. If it’s frozen, make sure to pull it from the freezer and let it thaw a bit before cooking. You can put it in the fridge or on the counter, and if you’re really short on time, pop it in some warm water. Ground beef is a cheap, hearty meat choice that goes with almost anything, including this lovely white sauce.

• 4 TBSP Whole Wheat Flour

Using whole wheat flour makes this recipe even more nutritious, because you end up getting the fiber from a whole grain. You can’t even tell it’s whole wheat at all! Flour serves as the thickening agent in this recipe, making it a very important component to the overall success of this dish.

• 4 Cups Milk

We often have a lot of milk in the fridge, and when I think it’s about to go bad, I will often turn to this recipe. The cream sauce uses a lot of milk, making it rich in calcium and protein.

• Salt

What would a meal be without salt? It not only adds terrific flavor, but if you choose a good quality salt, like sea salt or pink salt, it can also be another nutritious component of your meal. I would begin with about two tablespoons of salt, but feel free to add more to your liking.

• Pasta Noodles

We like spagettini noodles, which are just slightly thinner than regular spaghetti. You could try regular spaghetti, penne, pasta shells, or macaroni. Even tortellini would be a fun, unique choice! We have also served this sauce on rice and homemade fries. It is as versatile as they come!

• A Fresh Herb

Fresh herbs add such delicious flavor that dried ones just don’t. We are so blessed to have fresh herbs growing where we live, but I realize not everyone has that. If you only have dry herbs, that is just fine and will also be delicious, but if you are able to even buy one bunch of dill, some green onions or a little fresh basil – really any herb will do – I think it’d be worth it. In addition to adding great taste, they also provide some rich color and nutrition to this hearty (but very white) dish. 🙂

Directions:

1. Begin by sautéing diced onion and olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Cook until onion is just starting to become translucent.
2. Add in your thawed ground beef and cover with a lid. Stir often to break up the larger chunks and avoid burning. Cook fully.
3. Once your meat is cooked, add your flour. Stir until the meat is fully coated.
4. Pour in milk slowly.
5. Turn heat to medium-high, and stir constantly with a whisk until milk begins to thicken.
6. Remove from heat, and add 2 TBSP salt.
7. Serve on a bed of noodles.
8. Top with your choice of fresh herb. Add more salt as needed.
9. Enjoy!