Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually around 8-10 minutes). Drain well and set aside.

Brown the Beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over a medium-high heat. Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, for 5-7 minutes until browned all over. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; you want the mince to brown, not steam. Drain off any excess fat.

Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 5 minutes until it softens. Add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce.

Make the Roux: In the same pan, push the beef mixture to one side. Add the butter to the empty side and let it melt. Once melted, stir in the plain flour to create a paste (a roux). Cook this paste for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This step cooks out the raw flour taste.

Create the Béchamel Sauce: Gradually pour in the room-temperature milk, a little at a time, whisking continuously as you add it. Keep whisking until all the milk is incorporated and the sauce is smooth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring, until it has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. You can learn more about the science behind a perfect, lump-free sauce from a great resource like Serious Eats.

Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. I find that taking the pan off the heat entirely for a moment works best. Add the grated cheddar, Gruyère, and Dijon mustard. Stir gently until the cheeses have completely melted and the sauce is velvety and smooth. Avoid boiling the sauce once the cheese is in, as this can cause it to split.

Combine and Serve: Add the cooked, drained macaroni to the skillet with the cheese and beef sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is fully coated. Let it sit for a minute or two for the sauce to meld with the pasta. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. For another hearty pasta dish, you might also love my Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe.