This 30 minute Velveeta Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe is a family favorite! Filled with ground beef, onion, chili beans and tomatoes, it really has it all!
If you're a fan of noodles and beef, next time try this easy recipe for creamy ground beef noodle casserole next, it's delicious!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
It's a combination of two of the best things! Taco Macaroni and Cheese. Pure comfort food bliss. It only takes 30 minutes to make so it's quick and easy. And the best thing? This one-Pot Chili Mac is a great recipe and a meal even the pickiest eater will enjoy!
Like the Big Mac Casserole, this is one of our favorite easy weeknight dinners. The whole family, kids big & small will stand in line for a second helping and all will clean their plates!
🗒️ Ingredients
For the exact measurements for the Velveeta Shells and Cheese with Ground Beef, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- onion and red bell peppers - the onion and pepper start caramelizing and building the flavors for this meal.
- garlic powder or one clove fresh minced garlic.
- lean ground beef - you can substitute with ground chicken or ground turkey.
- red kidney beans, black beans, pinto or cannelloni beans
- fire roasted diced tomatoes - canned tomatoes work great here! Rotel would also be delicious with the added spices!
- beef broth or chicken broth - low sodium is preferred.
- elbow macaroni - really you use any type of small uncooked pasta.
- velveeta cheese - no velveeta? Use leftover queso, you can also make your own homemade cheddar cheese sauce with shredded cheese and cream cheese.
- here are the spices for the chili seasoning - salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, chili powder, cumin. If you prefer more heat, spice it up with a good pinch of cayenne pepper!
⏲️ Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions for the Chili Mac Velveeta just scroll down to the bottom!
- In a large dutch oven, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped red onion & bell pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes until the veggies start to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Then add the hamburger meat. Cook ground beef, breaking it up, stir until browned. Drain the fat.
- Drain the kidney beans add them to the stock pot along with the can of fire roasted tomatoes.
- Add all of the spices salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder and cumin. Stir well to combine.
- Next add the beef broth and increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. When it comes to a boil add the pasta and velveeta cheese. Return to a boil over medium-high heat and set the timer for 7 minutes.
- Stir the cheese mixture constantly during the entire 7 minutes. If you don't the cheese will clump together and stick to the bottom of the pan! Once it gets a good boil going, reduce the heat to medium. It will thicken and become creamy and cheesy.
- Test the pasta, if it's not done, continue stirring until the pasta is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Garnish with thinly sliced green onions or cilantro - YUM!
🙋♀️ FAQ's
Jarred or leftover Queso or canned cheese soup is a great substitute for Velveeta.
Velveeta is a processed cheese that is smooth and creamy. It has a softer texture than non-processed cheese. What makes it easy to use in this recipe is that it won't clump and melted smoothly.
Bacon or salty ham! It does make everything taste better, right?!! Also a good shake of hot sauce, will up the spiciness. Substituting Rotel for fire roasted tomatoes will also add a nice bit of heat!
🔪 Equipment
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- For this recipe I use a Dutch oven, though a large skillet will work as well.
- You'll also need a wooden spoon. This set is great as it includes a spoon, scraper and slotted spoon.
👍 Tips
Be sure to continue stirring the pasta the entire time it's cooking.
Because you're mixing everything in one pot if you walk away or let it sit, you take the chance of it sticking or scorching on the bottom of the pan.
📓 Variations
No kidney beans? Use black beans or pinto beans! In a pinch you can even use a can of store-bought chili with beans.
Add a cup of frozen corn when you stir in the cheese. It adds a lot and gives it crispy crunch!
A can of green chiles or diced red peppers are a great addition as well.
No beans? Use leftover chili or a coupe cans of your favorite chili.
Velveeta Chili Mac is such a great meal, I think you'll really love it!!
Storage
Allow to cool completely and store leftovers in an airtight container.
Extras freeze well! Again store in an airtight container and free up to three months.
Serving suggestions
- Serve it with steam green beans in microwave - so easy and always delicious! A fresh garden salad would also be a great choice!
- Keep it simple and serve with a bag of tortilla chips!
- If you have some time on your hands (and you will because this meal is so quick and easy to make!) Make a loaf of this wonderful garlic bread recipe. Oooh the aroma coming from the oven while it's baking!
Now my mouth is watering - what a great one pot meal and an easy weeknight dinner!
Related recipes
Pasta is such a great meal and economical as well! I know you'll love Velveeta Chili Mac. Here are more of my favorite comfort foods and one-pot meals I think you'll really enjoy!
- This Taco Spaghetti Recipe is another quick and easy meal that is sure to please! It's creamy, filled with taco meat and topped with cheese.
- Take taco Tuesday to the next level when you use this ground beef taco meat recipe to make Taco Salad Casserole! And start the party with Taco Dip with Ground Beef - it is SO good!
- Salisbury Steak is a delicious recipe! It's so easy and because it's made with French Onion Soup mix, it makes its own gravy!
- Creamy pasta with a cheese sauce makes this recipe for Rotel Chicken Spaghetti one delicious meal! I hope you give it a try soon!
- If you love a great pasta noodle dish, then make sure you try Cheesy Beef Noodle Casserole. Even the littles will love this meal, speaking from experience here! I got two thumbs up from a 2 year old! Also a great beefy meal, it is super cheesy and flavorful without the heat.
- What's not to love about this amazing Cowboy Casserole - topped with tater tots, it's AMAZING!
- One of my favorites is Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. It's all the delicious flavors of a traditional stuffed bell pepper, without all the fussy prep because it's in casserole form. It's delicious!
Chili Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- ½ onion diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ pound ground beef
- 1 can kidney beans
- 14.5 ounce fire roasted tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup elbow macaroni dried
- 1 cup velveeta cheese cubed
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Instructions
- In a large heavy bottom pot over medium heat begin by heating the olive oil. When it is hot, add the chopped red onion & bell pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes until the veggies start to soften.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Next add the ground beef, breaking it up, stir until browned. Drain the fat.
- Drain the kidney beans add them to the stock pot along with the can of fire roasted tomatoes.
- Season by adding all of the spices salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder and cumin. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in the beef broth and increase the heat to high. Bring the ground meat mixture to a boil then add the pasta and velveeta cheese.
- Return to a boil over medium high heat and set the timer for 7 minutes. Stir constantly during the entire 7 minutes.
- Once it gets a good boil going, reduce the heat to medium. It will thicken and become creamy and cheesy.
- If the pasta isn't cooked after seven minutes, just continue to stir and cook until it is done.
Tracey
Making use of what was in the pantry, I substituted a can of regular diced tomatoes, queso blanco velveeta, and rotini noodles. It was delicious!
Bowl Me Over
That sounds fabulous Tracey - so wishing that was for dinner here tonight, great job!!
Julie
I grew up eating the box variety but this homemade version is delicious! So easy to put together and the company devours it every time.
Ross
The recipe calls for 1 Cup of cubed Velveeta. I wish the author would have given a weight. Easier to put some waxed paper on a kitchen scale and dole out the correct amount of the sticky product.
Bowl Me Over
Great suggestion Ross!
swathi
Your chili mac and cheese looks delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting.
Bowl Me Over
Thank you so much Swathi - I always enjoy your great party and appreciate all the support you send my way!
Justine @ full belly sisters
Super yummy comfort food, I love it!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Justine - I hope you give it a try!
Tara
Great combo, just love this, so comforting for winter!!
Bowl Me Over
So true, love my winter-time meals!
Katerina
I love how you combined two very famous and beloved dishes! The result is amazing!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you, this is one of my hubby's favorite meals Katerina!
Kristen
my kids would eat this up!
Bowl Me Over
Kid tested, hubby approved! 😀 Thanks for stopping by Kristen!
Colleen
This looks so luscious and wonderful! We aren't too keen on velveeta in my house though...do you think cheddar would work out ok? Or maybe a mixture of cheddar and another cheese?
Bowl Me Over
Absolutely, I'd try cheddar and maybe Monterey Jack cheese? They melt so well together. Let me know if you give it a try, love to hear how your version comes out!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks
Any recipe that is 30 minutes or less is on my must make list. Your chili mac and cheese is just what we are looking for during this chilly weather.
Bowl Me Over
Awesome, I hope you give it a try Joanne!
Manila Spoon (Abby)
Comfort food at its best! How can you say no to this? I certainly can't!!!
Bowl Me Over
Yum, yum, yum!!! Thanks Abby!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
My kids and grandkids will go crazy for this dish as their two favorite dinners are chili and mac 'n cheese! Thank you for sharing!
Bowl Me Over
It would be a home-run Linda, the kids would love it! 😀
KC the Kitchen Chopper
Mac and cheese is a crowd pleaser, for sure. This would be perfect on a Super Bowl buffet.
Bowl Me Over
Dang, that's a GREAT idea KC - though this year's party will probably just be my hubby and me - oh well, more for us! 😉
[email protected]
Great comfort foods and delicious
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Janette!
Kelly @ TastingPage
Talk about a winning combination! Putting together mac and cheese with chili - brilliant!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you! Wait until you try it Kelly it's mighty tasty!!!
Debi at Life Currents
Your chili mac looks so good. It's one of my husband's favorites that he asks for all the time. I'd like to try your recipe soon. I like that it has some veggies in it. My recipe only has the chili (which I use a vegetarian one). thanks for the recipe.
Bowl Me Over
I try to sneak in veggies whenever I can and this recipe needed some "healthy" in it 😀 Thanks Debi - always appreciate hearing from you!
Del's cooking twist
The perfect comfort food for winter. Looks delish!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Del!!
Diane
I'm pretty sure this is perfect timing to release this mega comforting chili!! On cold winter nights, cozying up to a bowl of this would make my grandkids and menfolk all kinds of happy! Lol. You ate just like we did as kids. All the family parties we kids had a card table in the kitchen. Far far away from the formal dining room where the grownups blithely ignored the hollars and shouts. When we got too loud, they shut the kitchen door!!
Bowl Me Over
Hahaha! Isn't that funny, two peas in a pod aren't we? 😀 I hope you family enjoys this easy meal - thanks Diane for stopping by!
Platter Talk
This recipe is clearly a trifecta. Mac n cheese with chili? Those two classics combined with a prep and make time of under 30 minutes all add up to a winner with a capital W! This is a fantastic idea and one our kids will love.
Bowl Me Over
Absolutely, I know the kids will really enjoy it, thank you!!