Salsa Mac and Beef is an easy, quick weeknight dinner. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, in one pan, and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. Wins all around!
This meal is a kind of homemade “Hamburger Helper,” if you will. It is not the healthiest meal, but if you’re in need of a fast meal and do not want fast food, this will fit the bill!
Here is what you need: Beef, beef broth, macaroni/pasta, salsa, and cheese.
Start by browning the beef in a large skillet. You will use the same skillet for the whole meal, so make sure there is room for the rest!
Once it’s brown, drain the grease. Then add the beef broth and pasta.
Cook over medium heat, and stir often so that the pasta does not stick to the pan. Covering the skillet will help keep the broth from boiling off before the pasta is cooked.
If necessary, add another half cup of water if the pasta is not done when all of the broth has been absorbed.
Once the pasta is cooked, add the salsa and cheese. You can use either an “American” cheese (like Velveeta) or shredded cheddar. The American cheese melts very well and makes the dish creamier, but I have used plain cheddar in the past and it is still pretty tasty (and less processed!).
Also, because there are so few ingredients, make sure you like the salsa that you use! If you like the heat, use a hot salsa. If you are cooking for children, a mild salsa might be a better choice. I used a mild black bean and corn salsa for this particular time.
Turn the heat down to low and heat through, until the cheese is melted. Dinner is ready!
Salsa Mac and Beef
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups elbow or shell pasta uncooked
- 1 cup salsa
- 8 oz American cheese or 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain grease.
- Add broth and pasta and stir. Bring to a boil; stir, reduce heat to medium, and cover. Cook until pasta is done (about 8-10 min., or according to directions), stirring occasionally so that it does not stick to the skillet.
- Add 1/2 cup of water if needed to finish cooking pasta. After pasta is cooked, turn heat down to low, add salsa and cheese and heat through.
