Calling all taco and mac n cheese enthusiasts! We've gathered a collection of the most delicious and creative recipes that combine these two comfort food favorites into one irresistible dish. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a show-stopping dish for your next party, our roundup has something for everyone. From classic recipes to unique flavor variations, get ready to tantalize your taste buds with our top picks for taco mac n cheese recipes.
Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!
TACO MAC 'N' CHEESE
Provided by James Briscione
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 8 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place a large saute pan over high heat, add the ground beef and taco seasoning, reserving 1 tablespoon of the mix for the Perfect Cheese Sauce. Mix thoroughly. Cook, stirring often using a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small crumbles. Continue cooking until the meat releases its liquid, and then cook further until all the liquid has evaporated and the meat begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Combine the Perfect Cheese Sauce and cooked pasta in a large bowl. Pour in the cooked meat and stir to combine. Pour into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Level the pasta with the back of a spoon or spatula. Scatter the grated Cheddar over the pasta. Bake until browned and bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
- Immediately before serving, scatter the sour cream, lettuce and fresh tomato over the mac 'n' cheese.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
- Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.
TACO MAC & CHEESE
I came up with this recipe on a night when I was super exhausted after work but wanted to at least attempt to cook something for dinner. This is quick, easy, and delish!
Provided by megs_
Categories Cheese
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Make box of macaroni and cheese as directed.
- Meanwhile, brown ground beef and drain.
- Add taco seasoning/water.
- Simmer meat mixture for 5 minutes.
- While simmering, add 1 tbsp hot sauce and 1 tbsp butter. Mix well.
- Drain meat.
- Add meat to macaroni and cheese, mix well.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, mix gently 'til melted.
- Serve! YUM!
TACO SHELLS AND CHEESE
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Stir in the diced tomatoes and chiles, hot water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove to a bowl (it will still be a little juicy).
- In the same pan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the milk and cook until hot and bubbling. Add the processed cheese and cook, stirring, until melted. Do the same with the Cheddar jack. Pour in the cooked pasta, add the taco meat and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, thinning with a splash of milk if needed. Stir in the cilantro.
- Top each serving with some sour cream and salsa if desired.
EASY TACO MAC AND CHEESE
This is a simple macaroni and cheese recipe with a taco twist. There are multiple ways to mix it up and leave out or use ingredients that you do or don't have. Would love feedback on ways you have mixed it up and what tasted best! Thank you for using. When serving, you can also top the dish with lettuce, tomato, onions, and sour cream.
Provided by Sarah Jayne Jeffries
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h1m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add salsa, corn, and taco seasoning. Season meat sauce with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in pasta and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.
- Combine the meat sauce, pasta, Colby-Jack cheese, and green onions in a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 379.8 calories, Carbohydrate 30.8 g, Cholesterol 66.1 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 965.5 mg, Sugar 4.3 g
MACARONI TACO BAKE
Comforting mac and cheese with a touch of taco flavoring and tortilla-chip crunch-no wonder everyone loves it! It's a fun change of pace from regular macaroni. -Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 45m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles; drain. Stir in salsa; set aside., Spread macaroni into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with beef mixture, chips and olives; sprinkle with cheese. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Serve with sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 597 calories, Fat 33g fat (17g saturated fat), Cholesterol 105mg cholesterol, Sodium 991mg sodium, Carbohydrate 48g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
TACO MACARONI SKILLET
A Mexican take on classic mac & cheese! This creamy beef and noodle dish is perked up with green chiles, taco seasoning, and tomatoes. Perfect for taco night or any day of the week.
Provided by Ortega
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Mexican
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook beef in a large skillet, stirring frequently, until brown; drain.
- Stir in water, tomatoes with juice, chiles, and seasoning mix. Cook until mixture comes to a boil.
- Add pasta; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 14 to 16 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Stir in evaporated milk. Remove from heat; stir in 1/4 cup cheese. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Cover; let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 198.6 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 47.3 mg, Fat 8.6 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 15.9 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 550.9 mg, Sugar 4.9 g
SKILLET TACO MAC N CHEESE
Not knowing what to make for dinner tonight, I searched my cupboards to see what I could throw together. I was just going to add some meat and hide some veggies in some mac n cheese but was inspired by the giant container of taco seasoning on my counter that I had just purchased from Costco. The results were good enough that my husband and I were fighting over the leftovers for lunch tomorrow and the kids have requested I make it again. This recipe is easy with boxed macaroni and cheese but of course can be made healthier if you prepare your own. I topped it with a little sour cream and served with a crisp green salad for a complete meal. Yummy!
Provided by RayMakMama
Categories < 30 Mins
Time 25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat water for macaroni.
- While water heats, dice onion and celery.
- In large skillet, cook ground beef, onion and celery until meat is no longer pink.
- Add tomatoes (with liquid), corn, and taco seasoning to meat mixture and let simmer.
- While meat simmers, prepare mac and cheese as directed.
- Combine meat mixture with mac and cheese, mixing well.
- Serve with sour cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 735.4, Fat 31.6, SaturatedFat 16.4, Cholesterol 108.2, Sodium 1367.2, Carbohydrate 82.8, Fiber 5, Sugar 16.3, Protein 32.5
TACO MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: lean ground beef, kosher salt, taco seasoning, Kraft® Macaroni and Cheese Blue Box Original, unsalted butter, milk, Kraft® Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Cholula® Hot Sauce, small tomato, green onion
Provided by KraftHeinz
Categories Dinner
Yield 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 6 cups (1 liter) of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
- While the macaroni is cooking, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned. Mix in 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Drain the macaroni in a colander (do not rinse), then return to the pot over low heat. Add the butter, milk, cheese sauce mix, ¼ cup (25 G) Kraft® Shredded Cheddar Cheese, and the remaining tablespoon of taco seasoning and stir well until creamy. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Heat the broiler to high.
- Fold the ground beef into the mac and cheese, then transfer to a medium oven-safe container. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup (100 G) Kraft® Shredded Cheddar Cheese on top.
- Broil the mac and cheese for 2-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with the Cholula® Hot Sauce, then top with the tomato and green onion. Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 703 calories, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 40 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 8 grams
MAC AND CHEESE TACO BAKE
Try something a little different for dinner today when you make our Mac and Cheese Taco Bake. Here's classic mac and cheese combined with all of a taco's best fixins' in one easy baked dish. Mac and Cheese Taco Bake is a creamy, cheesy casserole perfect for comfort food.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings, 1 cup each
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Prepare Dinner as directed on package. While Macaroni is cooking, brown meat in skillet; drain. Stir in seasoning mix and water. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min., stirring occasionally.
- Stir sour cream into prepared Dinner. Spoon half the Dinner mixture into 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with layers of meat mixture, 1 cup shredded cheese and remaining Dinner mixture. Cover.
- Bake 15 min.; top with salsa and remaining shredded cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 460, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 1160 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 31 g
TACO MAC AND CHEESE
Guilt-free comfort food? It's possible with this incredible taco mac and cheese recipe! Whole-grain pasta, creamy Mexican cheese and taco seasoning take this meal to the next level.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 55m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 1 1/2-quart casserole with cooking spray. Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt and oil and using minimum cook time. Drain and return to saucepan.
- Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat squash and broth to boiling over high heat; reduce heat. Cover; simmer 15 minutes or until squash is tender. Stir in milk and taco seasoning. Return to boiling; remove from heat. Place squash mixture in blender. Cover; blend on medium speed 20 seconds or until smooth. Return to saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese until melted. Pour over pasta; mix well. Pour mixture into casserole. Top with tomato slices.
- Bake uncovered 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake 4 to 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
- Divide pasta mixture among 4 plates. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon each salsa and sour cream. Crumble 3 tortilla chips over each. Garnish with cilantro. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Carbohydrate 58 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 7 g, Protein 19 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 580 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g
CHEESY TACO MAC & CHEESE
Salsa and ground beef plus our secret (now your secret) blend of spices stirred into everyone's favorite mac and cheese: best thing east or west of the Rio Grande.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 20m
Yield 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Prepare Dinner in large saucepan as directed on pkg.
- Add remaining ingredients; mix well.
- Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 520, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 890 mg, Carbohydrate 52 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 9 g, Protein 24 g
ONE-PAN TACO MACARONI AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: olive oil, ground beef, small white onion, garlic, taco seasoning, small macaroni, water, beef stock, shredded white cheddar, tomato, green onion
Provided by Iris Tian
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a 4-quart chicken fryer, heat approximately 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the onions until they begin to soften.
- Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Using your spatula, break up the ground beef and stir until cooked. Drain the excess liquid from the pan.
- Add water, beef stock, pasta, tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning back to the pan. Stir to combine.
- Cook over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring twice to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Increase heat to medium after 15 minutes, and stir pasta until most of the liquid is gone.
- Turn off heat and add the shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is completely melted.
- Top with green onions.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1023 calories, Carbohydrate 81 grams, Fat 49 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 52 grams, Sugar 13 grams
TACO MACARONI
From Marissa Undercofler of Howard, Pennsylvania, this dish uses three different applications of tomatoes. And it's a hearty way to warm up, and fill up, this winter!
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. , Stir in the tomatoes, soup, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until thickened., Drain macaroni; stir into meat mixture and heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- Use freshly cooked pasta: Leftover pasta can be dry and clumpy, which will make your Taco Mac and Cheese less creamy and flavorful.
- Use a good quality cheese: The cheese is the star of the show in this dish, so don't skimp on quality. Use a sharp cheddar cheese that melts well.
- Add your favorite taco toppings: The sky's the limit when it comes to taco toppings for this dish. Some popular options include ground beef, taco seasoning, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta that is overcooked will be mushy and not hold its shape well in the Taco Mac and Cheese. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, or until it is al dente.
- Serve immediately: Taco Mac and Cheese is best served hot and fresh out of the oven. If you need to make it ahead of time, you can cook the pasta and cheese sauce separately and then assemble and bake the dish just before serving.
Conclusion:
Taco Mac and Cheese is a fun and easy dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal or a potluck. It is a great way to use up leftover pasta and cheese, and it is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With its creamy, cheesy sauce, flavorful taco toppings, and crispy baked crust, Taco Mac and Cheese is a dish that everyone will love.
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