Description
A creamy, cheesy mac and cheese loaded with seasoned ground beef and a rich queso sauce. This comforting dish is packed with bold flavors, making it perfect for a hearty meal or a fun twist on classic mac and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup beef broth
For the Mac and Cheese:
- 12 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup store-bought or homemade queso dip
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
For Garnish:
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
Cook the Beef:
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef.
- Season with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Cook until browned, then stir in tomato paste and beef broth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then set aside.
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil the macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute until golden.
- Slowly whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Cook until slightly thickened.
- Add cheddar, Monterey Jack, and queso dip, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne (if using).
Combine Everything:
- Stir the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce until well coated.
- Add the cooked beef and mix thoroughly.
Serve and Garnish:
- Transfer to a serving dish and top with chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and crushed tortilla chips.
Notes
- For extra heat, add diced green chilies or hot sauce.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat for a different variation.
- If the cheese sauce gets too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: mac and cheese, beef queso, cheesy pasta, Tex-Mex, comfort food, family dinner