Description
Cheesy comfort awaits with Velveeta mac and cheese, a classic Southern comfort dish that blends creamy goodness and nostalgia. Melted cheese clings to perfectly cooked pasta, creating a quick and irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 3 cups elbow pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Meat and Tomatoes:
- 1 pound ground hamburger meat
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cheese and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese (cubed)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Boil salted water and cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente texture. Drain and set aside.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, then mix in taco seasoning and Rotel tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
- Create cheese sauce by melting butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Gradually pour milk into the roux, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens in 3-4 minutes.
- Add Velveeta cheese, black pepper, paprika, nutmeg, and salt to the sauce. Stir until completely smooth and melted.
- Combine cooked pasta, cheese sauce, and taco beef mixture in a large bowl, ensuring even coating.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes to create a golden, crispy cheese topping.
Notes
- Cook elbow macaroni slightly under the recommended time to prevent mushy texture when baking.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier alternative.
- Adjust taco seasoning intensity by using mild or hot versions based on personal heat preference.
- Grate Velveeta at room temperature for smoother, more even melting throughout the sauce.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 622 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 940 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg