I mean, how good does this look?!?
This is a classic Mac & Cheese base but with ground beef and yummy veggies stirred right in. It’s really a bowl of happiness if you ask me. We just loved this supper. Loved. It.
And if you’re into my One Pound Meals (you know…substituting a pound of ground turkey or ground chicken for a pound of ground beef), this meal right here is perfect for that too.
Yummy in a bowl.
Shopping List
1 pound of pasta (I used elbow)
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons chili powder (or a 1 ounce packet of taco seasoning)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
8 green onions, chopped
1 small (4 oz) can of chopped green chiles
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk (I used 2%)
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Salt and Pepper
Salt and Pepper
Over medium-high heat, bring a large pot of water to a boil and drop your pasta. Cook until al dente (about 6 or 7 minutes).
Meanwhile, brown your ground beef in a drizzle of EVOO in a large skillet over medium high heat. Once your beef is browned and crumbly, stir in your chili powder, bell pepper, green onions and chopped green chiles. Reduce heat to low and saute about 5 minutes or until veggies are tender.
In a small sauce pan over medium-high heat, melt your butter. Stir in your flour and stir constantly for about a minute. Stir in your milk and reduce heat to low. Stir another minute and then stir in your cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted into your sauce.
Drain your pasta and add it to your large skillet filled with the ground beef mixture. Pour your cheesy sauce down over everything and stir until everything is covered in sauce.
Ladle the pasta mixture into bowls and garnish with a few extra green onions.
Seriously delicious.
Seriously.
Delicious.
Enjoy!
Kellyann Rohr says
It has been a Mix and Match Mama week at my house! On Monday I made your Crunchy Tortilla Chicken and your no bake cookies but I added chocolate chips along with the butterscotch ones, Tuesday I made your Italian Mini Meatloaves, and last night we had some family in town and I made your broccoli salad and Lemon Berry Crumble. All were delicious and the best part was that they were quick and easy to make! Thank you, thank you!
Lauren says
Could this be made as a freezer meal? I belong to a freezer meal group, and this recipe would be something new and exciting to make. Thanks!
Lizzie Simantz says
Yum, this looks DELISH!!
Kim M. says
Well I was all set to make chicken pot pie tonight for my fam but I'm so glad I read this before heading to the grocery store! Change of plan! This looks too good not to make tonight! Thanks Shay!
Kimberly says
This looks great! I only wish I had seen this before I went to the grocery store! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! This would freeze beautifully!!
jaimep says
Do you drain your meat after cooking it?
Mix and Match Mama says
I do not drain it but if you're not using a lean meat, you totally could!
Mia Hendrick says
Hi, Shay!
I love your recipes and am a huge fan. I made your Mexi Mac & Cheese tonight, but my cheese sauce never quite reached that "cheesy" consistency. It was more bubbly and thick rather than something that could easily be poured over the pasta & ground beef mixture. Any suggestions for how to remedy this problem? I ended up adding a package of Velveeta Shells and Cheese sauce in the end, but would rather use something more natural in the future! Thanks, Shay!
Ralinn Jones says
Please cook for me. Everything looks so yummy. My husband and daughter are cooks. I am not. I'd rather clean a toilet. I wish I enjoyed cooking. I am going to start working on this. My daughter has Celiac, but I'm sure I could modify some of your recipes.
Mix and Match Mama says
Bubbly and thick means you probably stirred too long. The sauce only cooks up a minute and then you're ready to go. Keeping it over the stove any longer than that will thicken it too much. Sorry it didn't work out!
Mix and Match Mama says
Eeks! I realized that there was an error when I typed this recipe. It should have said one cup of milk (I went back and checked my notes). Sorry about that! The recipe has been corrected. Thank you!
kristinwithani says
I made this tonight and it was delicious. I added lots more milk, though so it was saucy.
I'm not a fan of bell peppers or onions so I added a bunch of tomatoes right near the end. Sorry if that's butchering your recipe but I'm a fan of swapping out veggies in recipes. 🙂
Kelly huffman says
Made this tonight and it was delish!!!!
Teresa Posey says
Mexi Mac & Cheese was super popular with the Poseys today!
Renae says
Can't wait to try this one out. Do you use the block Velveeta cheese or just packaged cheddar cheese?
Melanie says
Making this right now, although I saved a pan and added the flour to the meat mixture, then added the milk and cheese. It worked great! My husband does the dishes, I like to save him the work if I can 🙂
Anonymous says
Was looking through your recipes and found this. Made it for my son and he LOVED it. Made a nice lunch of leftovers too. My husband doesn't like ground beef in casseroles… I know right!! So it works out for Kyle to have the leftovers or a nice filling meal after practice. Thanks for the yummy ideas. Debbie from N. Indiana
Laura says
I just made this tonight and it was really good! A couple notes:
1.Melanie's note above is absolutely correct. Don't bother getting a third pan dirty. Just mix the flour in the meat mixture and then add the milk and cheese.
2. This makes a ton of food! If you're like me and just eating it with your hubby, be prepared for leftovers. I think this would be great for people with teenagers or if you're having company to watch football or something like that.