This Southwestern Chili Mac is one of the most popular ground beef recipes on the site, and it’s pretty darn easy to see why! It’s an easy, hearty, creamy pasta dish loaded with southwestern spices, black beans, and melty Colby Jack cheese.

The best part? It’s a quick recipe that comes together in just 30 minutes. Yes, a full 30 minute dinner on the table with minimal effort and ingredients you probably already have on hand.

If you love easy pasta dinners for the whole family, this one is going straight to the top of your rotation. It’s the kind ultimate weeknight recipe I love to make because it’s satisfying, flavorful, and done fast.

If you love this kind of easy ground beef recipe, you’ll also want to check out my Easy One Pot Pizza Pasta, Easy Creamy Beef Noodles, and Mexican Noodle Bake!

Southwestern Chili Mac - An easy 30 minute ground beef recipe filled with southwestern spices, black beans, cheese, and pasta!

Recommended for this recipe:

Caraway Non-Stick 12 in Skillet

This skillet has become my go-to for many of my one-pot recipes! It is now one of my favorite kitchen items.

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What ingredients are needed for Southwestern Chili Mac?

ground beef
Seasonings: creole, salt, chili powder, cumin
onion
canned diced tomatoes with green chiles
canned black beans
flour
half and half
milk
Colby Jack cheese
optional: cilantro, jalapeno, green onions, diced tomatoes

Tips for Southwestern Chili Mac:

Use whatever pasta you like for this recipe. My kids are fans of macaroni, so it goes over really well every time. You can even use whole wheat pasta!
Add in some corn to go even more Southwestern.
Try making it with ground turkey to reduce the calories.
Change up the toppings, and add some green onions and diced tomatoes.

Easy Southwestern Chili Mac

Name: Easy Southwestern Chili Mac
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked; 2 lbs ground beef; 1 tsp creole seasoning; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 small onion, chopped; 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles; 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained; 2 tbsp flour; 1 cup half and half; 1 cup milk; 3 cups Colby Jack cheese; Optional Toppings: Chopped cilantro, slided jalapenos

Yield: 6-8 servings

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

An easy 30 minute ground beef recipe packed with southwestern spices, black beans, and creamy pasta all topped with melty Colby Jack cheese. A perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

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Ingredients

2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 lbs ground beef
1 tsp creole seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 small onion, chopped
10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp flour
1 cup half and half
1 cup milk
3 cups Colby Jack cheese
Optional Toppings: Chopped cilantro, slided jalapenos

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook macaroni noodles.
In a large skillet, brown ground beef with chopped onion over medium high heat. Season with creole seasoning, salt, chili powder, and cumin while browning.
Once browned, add diced tomatoes and black beans. Stir and allow to cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
Add flour and stir and continue cooking for 2 more minutes.
Stir in half and half and milk. Allow mixture to come to a simmer.
Once simmering, add in 2 cups of shredded cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
Add in cooked pasta and stir to combine.
Top with remaining shredded cheese and cilantro and sliced jalapeños.

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