Our Best Easy Mexican Inspired One Pot Meal Recipe Ideas

Name: Beefy Fajita Mac and Cheese
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 500g 5% fat beef mince; 1 red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced; 1 green pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced; 1 sachet Old El Paso™ Smoky BBQ Fajita Seasoning Mix; 500g macaroni; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 180g full-fat soft cheese; 200g ready-grated mozzarella and Cheddar cheese; 1 tablespoon freshly chopped coriander, to garnish; 50g Old El Paso™ Original Tortilla Nachips™, crushed (optional)

January 27, 2025

chilli soup served in a bowl accompanied by a soup pot on wooden table

At Old El Paso, we believe in making mealtime fun, easy, and memorable. That’s why we’ve curated an array of our best easy one-pot meal recipe ideas, perfect for feeding the whole family at dinnertime. With these simple recipes you can whip up hearty dishes without breaking a sweat. Let's dive in, starting with our Beefy Fajita Mac & Cheese which is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

Beefy Fajita Mac and Cheese served in a pot with nachips

Beefy Fajita Mac and Cheese One Pot Meal Recipe

Who doesn't love mac and cheese? This Beefy Fajita Mac and Cheese recipe takes the classic comfort food and gives it a Mexican-inspired twist, combining the creamy, cheesy goodness you love with the vibrant, smoky flavours of fajitas. Plus, you can keep your leftovers for the next day! Simply allow to cool and refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking for an easy dinner.

It's the perfect blend of hearty, cheesy, and utterly satisfying—ideal for family mealtimes.

Recipe Name

Beefy Fajita Mac and Cheese

Total Time

50 minutes

Spice Level

Mild

Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
500g 5% fat beef mince
1 red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
1 green pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced
1 sachet Old El Paso™ Smoky BBQ Fajita Seasoning Mix
500g macaroni
1/4 teaspoon salt
180g full-fat soft cheese
200g ready-grated mozzarella and Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon freshly chopped coriander, to garnish
50g Old El Paso™ Original Tortilla Nachips™, crushed (optional)

Preparation

Heat oil in a deep casserole. Cook onion for 5 minutes, add beef and peppers, cook for another 5 minutes. Ensure the beef mince is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 75°C before serving.
Stir in seasoning mix, cook for 5-6 minutes. Set aside.
Add 1 litre water, bring to boil, add macaroni and salt. Cook for 8-9 minutes. Do not drain.
Stir in beef mixture, cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, add soft cheese, stir until melted.
Top with grated cheese and grill until melted and bubbling. Garnish with coriander and crushed nachips if desired.

Expert Tips

This recipe will work just as well with other types of mince – try pork, lamb or turkey.
Unlike cooking pasta normally, you don’t need to drain away the cooking liquid. It will gradually be absorbed by the pasta or evaporate so increase stirring towards the end of the cooking time to prevent the pasta sticking to the base of the casserole.
For a pop of colour and freshness, top with deseeded and diced tomatoes.

Made With...

Food Safety Tip: After handling raw beef, be sure to wash your hands, utensils, and any surfaces with hot, soapy water to avoid cross-contamination.

Enjoy the warmth and joy as everyone tucks into this delicious one-pot wonder!"

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