Description
Taco Mac and Cheese is a flavorful and comforting one-pot Tex-Mex inspired dish combining creamy macaroni and cheese with seasoned ground beef and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies. It’s a perfect easy weeknight meal that’s kid-friendly and packed with bold flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Macaroni and Meat Mixture
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Dairy and Flavor
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Ro*Tel)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Chopped cilantro
- Green onions
- Jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow macaroni or pasta of choice until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Brown the Meat: In the same pot or a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics and Season: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the browned meat. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the onion has softened. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for an additional minute to release the spices’ aroma.
- Add Creamy Ingredients and Tomatoes: Pour in the milk, sour cream, and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir everything together and reduce the heat to low.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked pasta and shredded cheese to the pot. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is creamy and well incorporated.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Garnish with chopped cilantro, green onions, or jalapeños if you like some extra heat and freshness. Serve hot.
Notes
- For extra spice, use hot Ro*Tel or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add black beans or corn to the mixture for added texture and nutrition.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator and can be reheated with a splash of milk to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
