Description
Creamy Velveeta mac and cheese delivers comfort straight from classic American kitchens, promising rich cheesy goodness in every delightful bite. Smooth melted cheese coating tender pasta creates a quick, satisfying meal that makes comfort food lovers swoon with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound ground hamburger meat
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Velveeta cheese
- 2 cups (226 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 3 cups elbow pasta
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for seasoning)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for pasta water)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Liquid and Thickening Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (590 milliliters) milk
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Salt a large pot of water and cook elbow pasta for approximately 8 minutes, ensuring it remains slightly firm. Drain completely and set aside.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain excess grease and incorporate taco seasoning with Rotel tomatoes. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour. Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to prevent scorching.
- Slowly pour milk into the roux, whisking steadily until the mixture smooths and thickens, roughly 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate Velveeta cheese, nutmeg, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine pasta, cheese sauce, and seasoned meat in a large bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle shredded cheddar across the top.
- Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy surface.
Notes
- Drain pasta slightly undercooked to prevent mushy texture when baking, ensuring a perfect al dente consistency.
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a lighter, less oily mac and cheese dish.
- Experiment with different protein alternatives like ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier spin on this comfort classic.
- Allow the cheese sauce to thicken naturally without rushing, whisking continuously to prevent scorching and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 594 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg