Taco mac and cheese is the perfect cheesy combination of two favorites.
Ground beef, cheesy pasta, and taco seasonings combine in one skillet for a new hearty, cheesy favorite everyone will love!
This Taco Mac and Cheese Will Be Your New Comfort Food Craving Because…
- This one-skillet dinner goes from the stovetop to the tabletop in less than 30 minutes!
- Budget-friendly taco mac and cheese is the perfect casserole dish for using up leftover bits of veggies and cheese.
- This easy-to-double recipe can be cooked once and enjoyed all week for workday lunches and even quicker dinners!
What You’ll Need
Meat: For this recipe, I use ground beef but Italian sausage, ground chicken, or ground turkey can be used. Stretch the budget and try half meat and half black beans.
Pasta: Elbow macaroni is the classic mac and cheese shape, but shells, short penne, and even orzo are good substitutions!
Cheese Sauce: A little bit of milk, cheese, and taco seasoning blends into a light and creamy sauce! Buy your preferred heat of salsa or make your own and adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.
Add Your Spin to This Dish
- Toss in more veggies like chopped spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, chopped tomatoes, or diced bell peppers.
- Kick up the heat with a few sliced jalapenos, and keep the seeds in for even more heat!
- Try topping it with sliced black olives or bacon bits.
- Zest it up with a little bit of buffalo sauce, Tabasco, or Cajun seasoning. Or try swapping the salsa for Rotel.
How to Make Taco Mac and Cheese
- Brown and drain ground beef.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water (full recipe below) allow to simmer.
- Mix in remaining ingredients (except cheese) and simmer until thickened.
- Stir in cheese and serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
Top with your favorite taco toppings like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole! Try adding diced tomatoes or shredded lettuce on top.
Pair this easy cheesy skillet recipe with a cucumber radish salad, or a side of bacon-topped green beans, or oven-roasted veggies .
Storing Taco Mac and Cheese
Keep leftover taco mac and cheese in a covered container for up to 4 days and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
More Taco Inspired Classics
Have you tried this Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
Taco Mac And Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef cooked and crumbled
- 1 (1 ounce packet) taco seasoning about 2 tablespoons
- ¼ cup water more if needed
- 1 ½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth more if needed
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- toppings as desired
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large 12-inch skillet until no pink remains.
- Drain fat and add the taco seasoning and ¼ cup water. Simmer 2 minutes.
- Add macaroni, broth, milk, and salsa. Simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender, adding more water or broth as needed
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Top with desired toppings and serve.
Notes
- Onion or garlic can be added to the beef before browning if desired.
- Use freshly shredded cheese so that it melts easily into the dish.
- Stir gently to avoid breaking up the noodles.
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Thanks Irene! So glad you enjoyed it.