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.

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

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.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Stir in the salsa, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the beef mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Gradually whisk in the milk and continue stirring until the mixture thickens, about 2–3 minutes.

Step 8

Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.

Step 9

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, beef mixture, and cheese sauce. Stir well until everything is evenly coated.

Step 10

Transfer the Spicy Salsa Mac Beef to a serving dish. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.

Step 11

Serve hot and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1695.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3501.8

Total Fat 200.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 98.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 631.0mg	0%
Sodium 5599.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 247.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.4g	0%
Total Sugars 40.3g
Protein 183.1g	0%

Vitamin D 111.8IU	0%
Calcium 2114.8mg	0%
Iron 20.8mg	0%
Potassium 2871.2mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.2%

Protein: 20.7%

Carbs: 28.1%