Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 pound ground 90% lean beef

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon kosher salt

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni

2 cups whole milk

1¼ cups warm water

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 cup chopped American cheese

2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives

1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

1 scallion, green part sliced

Chef notes

Don't laugh. This dish might give you more insight into my culinary history than almost anything else. It's a throwback to my childhood, and it speaks directly to my more-than-occasional desire for quickness and efficiency in that I love a good casserole or one-skillet dish. No fuss, no muss, easy cleanup and get-right-to-it dinner. We all know the store-bought mix; this homemade version is even better than the classic, I promise.

Technique tip: Add some slices of jalapeño for extra kick.

Preparation

Melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add the beef, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt; cook, stirring to crumble, until browned, about 5 minutes.

Preheat the broiler with the oven rack 3 to 4 inches from the heat. Reduce the stovetop heat to medium, and stir in the macaroni. Add the milk, warm water, mustard, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a low simmer; cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender, about 12 minutes. Add the cheeses, and cook, stirring constantly, until the cheeses melt. Stir in the chives.

Sprinkle the panko over the macaroni mixture. Broil until the panko is golden brown, 1-2 minutes. Garnish with the scallion, and serve immediately.

Valerie Bertinelli's 'Hamburger Helpa'