Recipes With Velveeta Shells and Cheese and Ground Beef
You'll love this easy chili mac. It's the ultimate comfort food recipe and this cheesy pasta is a meal the whole family will love!
This 30 minute Velveeta Chili 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!
Jump to:
- ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- 🗒️ Ingredients
- ⏲️ Instructions
- 🙋♀️ FAQ's
- 🔪 Equipment
- 👍 Tips
- 📓 Variations
- Storage
- Serving suggestions
- Related recipes
- Chili Mac and Cheese
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
It's a combination of two of the best things! Chili and 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!
One of our favorite easy weeknight dinners. The whole family, kids big & small will stand in line for a second helpings 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.
- 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 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
Is there a good substitute for Velveeta cheese?
Jarred or leftover Queso or canned cheese soup is a great substitute for Velveeta.
How is Velveeta different from cheese?
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.
What kicks Mac and Cheese up a notch?
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 is a great addition as well.
No beans? Use leftover chili or a can 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
Here's what I'd serve with it a simple side dish like steam green beans in microwave - so easy and always delicious! A fresh garden salad would also be a great choice!
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 meal!
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.
- 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
You'll love this easy chili mac. It's the ultimate comfort food recipe and this cheesy pasta is a meal the whole family will love!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course: Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 351 kcal
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- 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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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.
Don't forget to stir the pasta the entire time it's cooking. This will keep it from sticking on the bottom and scorching. It will also help the pasta release starches to help thicken the Velveeta Chili Mac.
Calories: 351 kcal | Carbohydrates: 27 g | Protein: 22 g | Fat: 16 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 56 mg | Sodium: 1276 mg | Potassium: 434 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 1170 IU | Vitamin C: 14.7 mg | Calcium: 275 mg | Iron: 2.5 mg
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About Bowl Me Over
Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I've been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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Recipes With Velveeta Shells and Cheese and Ground Beef
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