1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: First, measure out everything like the 1 pound of lean ground beef and 2 cups of dry cavatappi pasta. This step sets you up for success and ensures you don’t miss a beat.

2-Cooking the Beef: Next, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks until it’s no longer pink. Don’t forget to drain any excess fat to keep the dish light and flavorful.

3-Adding Seasonings and Liquids: Then, sprinkle in the cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, sugar, and pepper, stirring well to coat the beef evenly. Pour in the 2 cups of hot water or broth, 1 1/2 cups of milk, and the pasta, bringing it to a boil before covering and simmering for 8-11 minutes until the pasta is tender.

4-Finishing with Cheese: Finally, stir in the 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese until it melts into a creamy sauce, and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken. For those adaptations, like using ground turkey, swap it in at the beef step for a lighter twist.