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A childhood comfort food favorite called “Chuckwagon Mac!” This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta is a hearty, satisfying, and easy dinner recipe that the entire family will love!
Hi, friends! Let me introduce you to your family’s new favorite dinner! No, seriously. My mom’s “Chuckwagon Mac” was a staple in our home when I was growing up.
Of course, she passed the simple ground beef pasta recipe along to me when I had my first child, knowing that he would love it too.
How to make Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta:
You’ll need the following ingredients for this skillet meal:
- Ground beef
- Onion, bell pepper and garlic
- Tomato sauce
- Corn
- Petite-diced tomatoes
- A box of creamy macaroni and cheese
First, prepare the box of mac and cheese according to the package instructions. I use this Kraft Deluxe, but you can pick any similar brand that includes the pouch of creamy cheese (Velveeta Shells and Cheese is another good option). Just don’t use those boxes of mac and cheese that start with the powdered cheese packet — it won’t be the same!
While the mac and cheese is cooking, you’ll have time to brown the ground beef, onion, bell pepper and garlic in a large skillet. Then drain the meat mixture and return it to the same pan.
Next, stir in the tomato sauce, corn and diced tomatoes. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.
Finally, add the cooked macaroni and cheese, toss everything together, and serve!
What to serve with Ground Beef Pasta:
Here are a few easy sides to serve with the super easy ground beef recipe:
- Secret Ingredient Jiffy Cornbread
- Cheddar Biscuits
- 3-Ingredient Beer Bread
- A simple green salad with buttermilk dressing
- Southern Slow Cooker Green Beans
- Roasted Broccoli
Cook’s Tips and Recipe Variations:
- I use Kraft Deluxe, but you can pick any similar brand of macaroni and cheese that includes the pouch of creamy cheese (Velveeta Shells and Cheese is another good option). Just don’t use those boxes of mac and cheese that start with the powdered cheese packet — it won’t be the same!
- Substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.
- Stir in other favorite vegetables. Steamed baby broccoli florets would be a great addition!
- Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for about 3 days. The cooked creamy beef pasta will also stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month.
More Ground Beef Pasta Recipes You Might Like:
- 5-Ingredients Beefaroni
- Taco Pasta Casserole (a delicious Mexican ground beef recipe!)
- Johnny Marzetti Casserole
- Quick and Easy Amish Hamburger Casserole
Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef (I use extra lean ground beef, but any variety will work)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15.25 ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite-diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (14 ounce) box Kraft Deluxe Mac and Cheese (or other similar boxed mac and cheese with the creamy cheese pouch)
Instructions
- Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package instructions.
- While the mac and cheese is cooking: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain and return to skillet. Stir in tomato sauce, corn, and diced tomatoes. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
- Add cooked macaroni and cheese to beef mixture and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I use Kraft Deluxe, but you can pick any similar brand of macaroni and cheese that includes the pouch of creamy cheese (Velveeta Shells and Cheese is another good option). Just don’t use those boxes of mac and cheese that start with the powdered cheese packet — it won’t be the same!
- Substitute ground chicken or ground turkey for the ground beef.
- Stir in other favorite vegetables. Steamed baby broccoli florets would be a great addition!
- Leftovers keep in the refrigerator for about 3 days. The cooked creamy beef pasta will also stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
This post was originally published in January, 2016. It was updated in August, 2019.
This looks like the perfect way to jazz up regular mac ‘n cheese! I love the hearty ingredients in here! Definitely the perfect comfort food for the winter. I can see why you and your family love it so much!
Thanks, Gayle! Yep, it totally jazzes it up and makes it feel like an entirely different meal. 🙂
okay, i want to be part of your family. because i totally think this would be my new fav!
Come on over, Lindsay! You can bring Mr. Cotter, too! 🙂
This looks delicious and super comforting! Love the flavours! 🙂
Thanks, Jess! Total comfort food! 🙂
Oh my goodness. Must try for my family! I’m sure they’ll love it too.
Thanks, Melanie! Yep, this is a perfect family-friendly meal. Everyone seems to love it!
What an awesome dish! I love comfort foods like this!
Thanks, Annie! At this time of year, especially — cold weather makes me crave warm, hearty dishes like this one!
Dear Blair
I just wanted to say “Thank You” for this fantastic recipe! I made this tonight for dinner, and it was sooo good! I couldn’t find the White Cheddar Cheesy Deluxe, so I used the Organic White Cheddar. I am going to give some to my son for work. He’s been looking for a recipe that his father made, and this is definitely it(minus the hot sauce) I always look forward to your recipe of the day, and since I join, I have not been disappointed.
Thank You
Patti
Hi, Patti! Thank you so much for your kind note! I’m thrilled that this recipe was a hit, and I so appreciate your support. Thanks for reading along! 🙂
Hello I was wondering if you are using the Mac and Cheese with the powder mix or the box kind that comes with creamy cheese I have seen similar recipes that use the powder mix so I was just wondering what you use?
Thank you for any feed back that you could give me. God Bless and have a wonderful day. 🙂
P.S. Will rate once I make it.
Hi! I always use the mac and cheese with the creamy cheese packet (not the powdered version). Enjoy!
I’ve done the powder and then added Velveeta.
I really wasn’t sure, wow.. So good!! This was fast and easy family loved it. Your website has been a God sent for dinners….we don’t get home till late and I have these all planned ready to go and feel good about feeding healthy stuff to my family.
Thank you!!
I’m so happy to hear that, Laura! Thank you! 🙂
I’m going to give this recipe a try this week… I just bought the Macaroni & Cheese last night at the grocery store… and have all of the ingredients now to make this. A simple and tasty dish!! I’ll let you know how we liked it when I make it this week. 🙂 Thanks again for all your recipes.
Perfect! I’m so glad that you’ll give it a try, Tess. Enjoy, and thanks for reading the blog! 🙂
This recipe was a hit!! My hubby & I loved it & it’s definitely a “keeper”!! ::) Thanks for sharing it…
Thank you, Tess! I’m so glad that you both enjoyed it!
This looks delicious, I was going to make it for my grandkids then I read the ingredients. I live in Canada and we don’t have Kraft Deluxe or the Velveeta cheese ???? Any suggestions on what I can replace it with?
Hi, Donna! Do you have any other brands of store-bought creamy mac and cheese? Any should work! 🙂
Thanks for your prompt reply. I never really looked, I’m not a big fan of mac and cheese. I’ll check on my next shopping trip.
Perfect! I bet there’s a similar product, even if it’s made by a different brand. The key is to find one that includes the cheesy sauce packet — not the powdered cheese. 🙂
I’ve made this several times now. Yummy! I’m in Canada too, so I use 2 boxes of KD Sharp Cheddar. YES… it’s powered. Turns out perfectly.
Thanks for letting us know — glad that it works with the powdered mac and cheese! 🙂
Once all ingredients are cooked I put in a casserole dish and bake uncovered about 15-20 min. @ 350°…..just until the top browns. Extra work/dishes but good outcome.
Great tip, Fran! I’ve done that before as well. Definitely delicious!
Trying this tonight! First cool day of the season – I know my hubby and I will enjoy it, thank you! 🙂
Hope it was a hit, Miranda!
It definitely was a hit! 🙂 *Hubby approved! Thanks, again!
Yay!!