Spicy Salsa Mac Beef
Get ready to spice up your dinner table with this irresistible Spicy Salsa Mac Beef recipe! Combining tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, and a zesty kick of spicy salsa, this dish is the perfect comfort food with a Tex-Mex twist. A velvety cheddar cheese sauce, infused with smoky cumin and paprika, coats every bite, while sautéed onions and garlic add aromatic depth. In just 40 minutes, you can create a hearty, flavor-packed meal that’s ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a burst of color and extra flair. This one-pot wonder delivers bold flavors while remaining easy to prepare—perfect for feeding the whole family.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic cloves
- 1.5 cups salsa (spicy, store-bought or homemade)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.
Dice the onion and finely mince the garlic cloves. Add the onion to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.
Stir in the salsa, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the beef mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
Gradually whisk in the milk and continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, beef mixture, and cheese sauce. Stir well until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the Spicy Salsa Mac Beef to a serving dish. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
891 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 53.8 g | 69% | |
| Saturated Fat | 26.7 g | 134% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 158 mg | 53% | |
| Sodium | 1355 mg | 59% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 60.2 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.7 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.9 g | ||
| Protein | 44.5 g | 89% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.0 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 540 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 5.5 mg | 31% | |
| Potassium | 712 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
