Chili Mac and Cheese Casserole
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Mac and Cheese is an American classic comfort food and in this Chili Mac and Cheese Casserole it goes a step further with a Mexican influenced salsa addition to ground beef and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. With a new video to show you step by step how to make, this could be dinner tonight!
Quick and easy, this homemade version gets lots of cheddar and pepper jack cheese to satisfy any cheese lover. No strange orange powdered packets, this is homemade with ingredients you know.
Hamburger Helper this is not. I remember eating those often as a kid and it brings back great comfort food memories, but this mac and cheese casserole is made from scratch and easier to make than you think.
I like to use both cheddar and pepper jack cheese in mine. I prefer not to breakdown the ground beef and keep the pieces chunky, all the better to get coated by the salsa and cheese sauce. Some Panko breadcrumbs with a little oregano tops this and in the oven it goes.
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese? This one is made with two kinds of cheeses and starts with a little butter and flour to make a roux, which is just a fancy French term for a classic thickener of soups and sauces. Milk is whisked in and basically you have what is termed a béchamel sauce. Whisk in the shredded cheeses and this becomes one incredible, thick cheese sauce.
Simply add the cooked pasta, and if too thick, a little of the pasta water and you are set. This is what sets it apart from the boxed version. I always add a bit of the cooked pasta water to pasta sauces as it helps emulsify the sauce the pasta is in due to the starches from the the cooked pasta in the water. Remember that tip for other pasta dishes. 🙂
When you break through the crunchy breadcrumb topping the cheesy goodness awaits. Chock full of big chunks of beef and stretchy, spicy cheese, this mac and cheese casserole is pure comfort food. Like this one, check out my Chicken Tortellini Dijon Alfredo.
This recipe was originally posted on November 4, 2016 and has been updated with a new video.
Subscribe to my Newsletter, follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube for all my latest recipes and videos.
Taco Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups chunky salsa
- 1 tsp Homemade Taco Seasoning (See Note 1)
- 1 lb elbow pasta
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese shredded (See Note 2)
- 1/2 tsp dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- reserved pasta water
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tsp butter melted
- 1/2 tsp dry oregano (See Note 3)
- chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large stock pot over high heat add ground beef and brown, breaking up meat into large chunks, about 4 minutes. Add chili powder, salsa and cook another 2 minutes. Set aside.
- In a small bowl add the melted butter and toss with Panko breadcrumbs and dried oregano. Set aside.
- In the same stock pot bring 4 quarts of water and kosher salt to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water and set aside.
- In same stock pot add butter and melt over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir to cook a minute or two. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook on simmer until thickened. Add these cheeses and whisk until smooth. Add the dry mustard and pepper, stirring to combine.
- Add the pasta to the cheese sauce and thin if too thick with reserved pasta water.
- Fold in the beef salsa mixture with the cheese pasta and pour into greased 9x9” baking dish. Top with breadcrumb mixture and bake for 15 minutes and top is golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately with chopped cilantro as garnish.
Video
Notes
- You could also substitute with my or Homemade Chili Seasoning.
- Oaxaca or Monterey Jack cheese can be substituted for the Pepper Jack if the spicy cheese is not to your liking.
- I prefer to use Mexican oregano if you can find it. A different flavor that you would recognize in most Mexican dishes. This is optional.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I prepped the pasta and meat mixture on my food prep day Monday. I can’t wait to throw the sauce mix together when I get home from work and bake this up! Looking forward to my dinner tonight. Thank you!!!
I love to read comments like this one Melissa! I’m hoping you enjoyed it as much as I do! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Update: this was awesome! The sauce came together in 10 minutes or less and I tossed it with the pre-cooked noodles and beef and salsa mixture. 15 minutes later in the oven I had a delicious meal on the table in less than 30 minutes with leftovers for lunch the next day! I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.
That is great news Melissa, thanks for the update. Glad you liked it! 🙂
Kevin, I read this as I sit in the airport awaiting my trip that will take me to your town…and I am BLOWN away by these stunning photos! The props…the set-up…the cheesiness! KILLING IT! And the recipe aint so bad either 🙂 I suppose because I never grew up with this kind of food it does not bring about the warm and fuzzies but I could totally what perfect comfort food this is~
Haha! Thanks Mila and thanks again for your help this afternoon or evening or whenever that was…. today is a blur! I’m in my hotel finally and wish I had a bowl of this now!
Oh, hamburger helper. I totally remember eating that as a kid. And you know what’s funny? I haven’t touched it since! But this looks like a sophisticated (read: awesome) version of that childhood classic. Love (love!) the pepperjack cheese in this one. I could go for a nice big plate of this one tonight!
I think Pepper Jack is tied with Sharp Cheddar for me. Good stuff!
So much better than Hamburger Helper I’m sure Kevin! Such a fabulous comfort food dish. My son Casey is going to LOVE this one! Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you have a great week!
A little tasty twist to the classic. Thanks Mary Ann, I’m sure Casey will love this one!
sheesh! Between you and Nagi I’m in NEED of some mac and cheese. 🙂 This is just pure, delicious comfort food.
It’s such a classic dish and I like a little pep to it. This seems to do the trick every time. Thanks Marissa. 🙂
I do. I do love baked pasta, Kevin. Especially when it’s so appetizing and gooey. But I’m trying to stay away from any pasta now bacause I swear I can eat this whole mac&cheese all by myself (6 servings? I don’t know what are you talking about). Indeed, I wish I hadn’t seen this recipe. I hope I won’t end up having mac&cheese this weekend:)
I laughed aloud when you mentioned the 6 servings! Indulge yourself, you worked hard all week. 🙂
You read my mind because I’ve been craving mac and cheese for a couple weeks now! This one looks killer. Love the combo of cheeses you used and the salsa + chili powder. Beautiful photos too – that shot with the gooey cheese is incredible!!
Thanks Faith, appreciate the kind words. Can’t go wrong with gooey cheese and pasta, right?
bHey Kevin! Seems like all my favorite food blogger friends are deep into comfort food this week! I don’t know just how much of this I could eat at one sitting, but I know I’d refill my bowl at least once!! You know that old saying “fat and happy”? Well I’m working very hard to be not so much fat, but very happy. I justify it by telling myself I’m just adding some insulation for winter… 🙂 Hope you guys have a great weekend!
I could eat a lot of it myself and if I have a side salad I feel less guilty for it. 😉 Enjoy the weekend Dorothy and hello to Gary!
This has got to be the ultimate comfort food ~ your photos are amazing!
Thanks so much Sue, it gets heavy rotation in the cooler weather evenings and I love a little spice in the mix! Have a wonderful weekend.
I remember those Hamburger Helpers boxes well, Kevin. I even thought about getting one the other day….ya know, for nostalgic purposes 😉 I’m up for any mac n cheese and this one looks lovely! I often use that pasta water trick too. Definitely comes in handy. Love the addition of salsa in here and the cilantro, of course. This is perfect weekend eats. Raining here all week and this would hit the spot!! Pinned. You guys have a wonderful weekend!
This is a little beefed up and has some crunch appeal. Perfect for rainy, cozy nights when comfort food is a must. Have a great weekend Dawn!