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Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese Recipes With Ground Beef

Long collage of cheesy ground beef pasta

Front shot of ground beef pasta on a table in a serving bowl with big skillet in background

Cheesy ground beef pasta mixture in a cast iron skillet with wooden serving spoon

Ground beef pasta in a cast iron skillet

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!

Close up shot of Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta in a cast iron skillet

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.

Ground beef mixed with mac and cheese in a blue and white bowl

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

Box of Kraft Deluxe mac 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!

Pot of creamy mac and cheese

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.

Ground beef bell peppers and onion in a cast iron skillet

Next, stir in the tomato sauce, corn and diced tomatoes. Simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes.

Ground beef mixture with tomatoes and corn in cast iron skillet

Finally, add the cooked macaroni and cheese, toss everything together, and serve!

Front shot of ground beef mac and cheese dinner in a skillet with wooden spoon

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

Ground beef and elbow macaroni skillet dinner served in a blue and white bowl with fresh parsley on top

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.

Long overhead shot of cheesy ground beef pasta on a table surrounded by fresh herbs

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

This Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta called "Chuckwagon Mac" is a hearty, satisfying, and easy dinner recipe that the entire family will love!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Beef Mac and Cheese, Chuckwagon Mac, ground beef pasta

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6 - 8 people

Calories 309.6 kcal

  • 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)
  • 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.

  • 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.

Serving: 1 /8 of the recipe | Calories: 309.6 kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.4 g | Protein: 20.8 g | Fat: 7.7 g | Saturated Fat: 2.1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2 g | Cholesterol: 7.5 mg | Sodium: 962.1 mg | Potassium: 322.7 mg | Fiber: 3.6 g | Sugar: 8.4 g | Vitamin A: 530 IU | Vitamin C: 24.3 mg | Calcium: 87 mg | Iron: 3.6 mg

This post was originally published in January, 2016. It was updated in August, 2019.

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Kraft Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese Recipes With Ground Beef

Source: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/stovetop-chuckwagon-mac/