Go Back

Taco Mac and Cheese

A delicious combination of creamy mac and cheese and bold Tex-Mex flavors, perfect for a hearty family meal or game night.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 500
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni
Meat
  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter option) Use ground turkey for a lighter variation.
Seasoning
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Cheese
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • ¼ cup cream cheese
  • ¼ cup sour cream
Liquid
  • 4 cups milk
Garnish
  • ½ cup chopped green onions For garnish.
Condiments
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
  • crushed tortilla chips, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, or diced avocado Choose according to preference.

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Meat
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or turkey) until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add the Taco Seasoning
  1. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and stir well. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, mixing until heated through.
Make the Cheese Sauce
  1. In a separate pot, warm the milk and cream cheese over medium heat, whisking until smooth. Gradually add the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, stirring constantly until melted.
  2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Everything
  1. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until fully coated. Fold in the taco-seasoned meat mixture.
Serve
  1. Spoon generous portions into bowls and top with sour cream, green onions, and your favorite toppings.

Notes

Add black beans or corn for extra texture. For spice lovers, mix in chipotle powder or hot sauce to the cheese sauce. Can be made ahead and reheats well. A baked version can be prepared by topping with extra cheese and baking at 375°F for 15 minutes.