Oxtail Macaroni 

Here’s a delicious recipe for Oxtail Macaroni:

Ingredients:

For the Oxtail:

• 2 lbs oxtail, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Macaroni:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions:

Cook the Oxtail:

1. Sear the Oxtail: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oxtail pieces and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add chopped onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. Add Tomato Paste and Tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes. Then add the diced tomatoes.
4. Add Liquids and Seasonings: Return the oxtail to the pot. Add beef broth, red wine (if using), Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5-3 hours, or until the oxtail is tender and the meat is falling off the bone.
5. Remove and Shred Meat: Once the oxtail is tender, remove the pieces from the pot. Shred the meat, discard the bones, and return the meat to the pot. Remove bay leaves.

Prepare the Macaroni and Cheese:

1. Cook Macaroni: In a separate pot, cook elbow macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens.
3. Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low, and add shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine: Stir the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until well coated.

Combine and Serve:

1. Mix with Oxtail: Add the macaroni and cheese to the pot with the oxtail mixture. Stir well to combine.
2. Serve: Heat everything together for a few minutes if needed, then serve hot.

Enjoy your rich and comforting Oxtail Macaroni!