Cowboy Mac and Cheese
Cowboy Mac and Cheese is a delicious twist on the classic comfort food, featuring creamy cheese sauce, tender pasta, and hearty ingredients like ground beef, black beans, and corn.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ½ pound lean ground beef
- 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
- ½ cup minced onion
- 1 whole seeded diced jalapeño
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- ½ cup drained black beans
- ½ cup drained corn
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Cook the uncooked elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the lean ground beef, minced onion, and seeded diced jalapeño over medium-high heat until the beef is fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Drain any grease and return the skillet to heat.
- Add the unsalted butter to the skillet and stir until it melts. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to create a thick paste.
- Slowly whisk in the whole milk, canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained black beans, and drained corn. Continue to stir and cook until heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and stir until the cheese is fully melted and everything is well mixed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine, and let it cook for a few more minutes so the noodles soak up some of the cheese sauce.
- Preheat the oven to broil on HIGH. Top the mac and cheese with shredded cheddar cheese and broil on HIGH for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Remove and enjoy!
Notes
If you prefer a spicier dish, leave the seeds in the jalapeño or add some chopped red pepper flakes. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. For extra flavor, add a few dashes of hot sauce to the cheese mixture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.