Paleo Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Beef

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this Paleo Macaroni and Cheese with Ground Beef—a wholesome and dairy-free twist on a classic favorite. This recipe swaps carb-heavy pasta for tender zucchini noodles and creates a luscious "cheese" sauce using nutritional yeast, creamy coconut milk, and tahini, packed with rich, savory flavor. Combined with perfectly seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, and a hint of smoked paprika, this dish delivers indulgent taste while staying paleo-compliant and gluten-free. Quick to make in just 45 minutes, it's the ultimate option for a healthy weeknight dinner. Serve it warm and finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a vibrant, nutrient-packed meal the whole family will love.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 cups zucchini noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 cup coconut milk (full-fat)
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the zucchini noodles. If starting with whole zucchinis, use a spiralizer to create noodles until you have about 4 cups.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 3

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook the meat until it is browned, crumbling it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Once cooked, drain excess fat if necessary and set the beef aside.

Step 4

In a blender, combine the nutritional yeast, coconut milk, tahini, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Blend until you have a smooth and creamy sauce.

Step 5

Return the skillet to low heat and add the cooked ground beef back in. Pour the cheese sauce from the blender into the skillet, stirring well to combine with the beef. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet, stirring well to coat them evenly with the sauce and beef mixture. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, just until the noodles are tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking as the noodles can become too soft.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional smoked paprika or fresh herbs like parsley for a pop of color.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1392.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1997.7

Total Fat 162.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 96.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 301.1mg	0%
Sodium 2734.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 54.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.1g	0%
Total Sugars 25.7g
Protein 102.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1376.5mg	0%
Iron 5376.0mg	0%
Potassium 3578.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.9%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 10.5%