If you’re looking for a new Mexican-themed dish, I want to share this Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe with you. The fusion of these two classic favorites provides a variety of flavors, from the creamy delight of mac and cheese to the spicy kick of taco seasoning and the freshness of the toppings.
Whether you’re making comfort food for your kids or serving a crowd at a party, Taco Mac and Cheese is a must-try on your menu list!
Fusion Taco Mac and Cheese
When friends and family come over, and young kids are at the dinner, this Taco Mac and Cheese is a sure winner. What kids don’t love mac and cheese and tacos?
This simple and quick recipe is an easy skillet dinner that can be served as a delicious main dish or a great side.
The best part is that preparation and cooking time only take around 30 minutes. You can quickly make taco mac and cheese anytime, even when busy. Finding the ingredients at your nearest grocery store is a simple task. The beauty of this recipe is it only requires a few simple ingredients like ground beef, a box of macaroni and cheese, and taco seasoning.
For more side dish ideas, check out my Southern Keto Collard Greens Recipe and Grilled Corn In The Husk.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Recipe
Now, let’s grab the ingredients that you’ll need in making Taco Mac and Cheese.
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef with a bit of fat, approximately an 80/20 ratio. Look for a bright red color to ensure freshness. If you can access grass-fed beef at your meat shop, do so because this type has a richer flavor than its grain-fed counterpart.
- For convenience, I use a box of macaroni and cheese to save time. Always choose a box that uses real cheese to ensure a richer taste. I discovered that the shell pasta shape tends to hold the sauce even better than the traditional elbow macaroni shaped ones.
- Taco seasoning: To get that authentic taco taste, you’ll need a good taco seasoning. Choosing the right blend depends on your taste preference. You can choose a milder flavor or go bold with the spicier mix. You can also make your own Homemade Taco Seasoning with my simple recipe.
- Tomatoes: I use a can of Rotel tomatoes With Green Chiles because it’s a convenient option to add flavor to the taco meat. You can choose from mild to hot, but my kids prefer the former.
How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Blending your own all-purpose Homemade Taco Seasoning is a great way to create an authentic flavor for all your Mexican dishes. This from scratch recipe, uses cumin, chili powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, dried oregano, and garlic powder.
📝 Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Taco Mac And Cheese
With your ingredients at hand, let’s start cooking!
Cook The Pasta And Brown The Meat
- Boil the pasta in a large pot and cook according to the box instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and stir in the packet of cheese. Set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef and cook until all the pink color is gone.
Season The Meat
- When the meat turns brown, add the taco seasoning and ⅔ cup of water.
- Stir the meat mixture and let it simmer over low-medium heat for about 3-5 minutes or until it thickens.
- Stir in the can of diced tomatoes until fully combined.
Add The Mac And Cheese
- Now, add the Mac And Cheese mixture to the taco meat.
- Stir everything together until fully combined.
Gina’s Tips For Recipe Sucess
- Drain any excess grease from the ground beef to make it a bit healthier and prevent the taco meat from tasting overly greasy.
- When preparing the mac and cheese, drain the pasta well to keep it al dente and allow the cheese sauce to cling better.
- Don’t be shy to taste as you go. Adjust the seasonings in the middle of cooking before you serve the dish.
Variation Ideas
- Make it spicy: Add hot sauce or jalapenos to taco ground beef for that extra spicy kick, or use the hot version of Rotel tomatoes.
- Add veggies: You can add onions, diced red bell pepper, or green peppers to increase vegetable content.
- Meat options: Instead of ground beef, you can also use ground turkey, chicken, or pork sausage.
Toppings Ideas
- Corn salsa chipotle style
- Pickled jalapenos
- Vegan nacho cheese
- Pinto beans
- Cream cheese salsa
- Green salsa without tomatillos
- Lettuce
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Avocado or guacamole
- Lime wedges
- Sliced green onions
Storing Leftovers
If you’re left with plenty of leftover Taco Mac And Cheese, don’t worry. You can store it in the fridge for 3-4 days or up to 2-3 months in the freezer. Here’s how to properly store your leftovers to keep their flavor and texture.
- Allow the leftovers of Taco Mac and Cheese to cool down to room temperature before packing them for storage.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container. You can use a heavy-duty freezer bag if you want to keep it frozen.
- Label the container to keep track of the expiration date.
When it’s time to reheat your leftovers, here’s how you can do it:
- Oven: Heat your taco mac and cheese in an oven-safe dish covered with foil for 20 minutes. You might need to add a little milk to soften it up.
- Microwave: Splash your leftovers with beef broth or milk, then heat in 30-second intervals covered in a microwave-safe dish.
- Stovetop: In a hot skillet, add a bit of beef broth or milk to warm your cold taco mac and cheese.
Make sure to thaw your frozen taco mac and cheese in the fridge overnight before reheating them using any of the options above.
More Mexican and Mac and Cheese Recipes
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Do you have a question?
Do you have a question about this recipe❓ I will answer in the comment form below👇🏼 the recipe card. Did you make this recipe? If so, could you be a gem and leave a comment and rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below? This helps others find yummy 😋 recipes to make for their family and friends.
Taco Mac and Cheese
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
- 12 oz macaroni and cheese, box of shells and squeeze cheese style
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- ⅔ cup water
- 10 oz Rotel tomatoes with green chiles, can, undrained
Optional Toppings
- shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
Cook Mac and Cheese
- In a large pot, boil water and cook the macaroni from the boxed macaroni and cheese according to package instructions.12 oz macaroni and cheese
- Once cooked, drain the water, then return the macaroni to the pot.
- Squeeze the cheese sauce from the box into the cooked macaroni and stir well to combine.
Prepare Taco Meat
- While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and no pink shows. Be sure to crumble the meat into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.1 lb ground beef
- Add the taco seasoning packet and ⅔ cup water to the skillet with the beef. Stir and let simmer over medium-low heat until the mixture thickens about 3-5 minutes.2 tablespoons taco seasoning, ⅔ cup water
- Stir in the can of Rotel (with juices) until well combined.10 oz Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
Add Mac and Cheese
- Add the prepared macaroni and cheese to the meat mixture. Stir everything together until well combined.
Serve
- Serve hot, adding optional toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips
Notes
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be reheated on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk if needed to maintain creaminess.
- Substitutions: For a spicier kick, use hot Rotel or add a few dashes of hot sauce. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for beef if desired.