Need an easy ground beef dinner idea that everyone will love? This simple, delicious Taco Mac and Cheese recipe with Rotel is perfect for any night of the week. Made with a homemade cheese sauce, seasoned ground beef and tender shell pasta, this taco macaroni and cheese is a crowd-pleaser!
Could you use a new ground beef dinner recipe? This creamy, delicious taco mac and cheese is a great option that everyone in the family will love. It combines everyone’s favorite dishes – tacos and mac & cheese into one easy, skillet dinner.
Made in under 30 minutes, this taco mac recipe is an easy weeknight dinner option. It uses ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge and pantry and comes together in short, simple steps.
What ingredients are needed for taco macaroni and cheese?
- Ground Beef
- Taco Seasoning – my Homemade Taco Seasoning is a great option for this recipe!
- 2 (10 oz.) cans, Rotel
- Medium Shell Pasta
- Butter
- Flour
- Milk
- Beef Broth
- Shredded Cheese – feel free to use a combination, like Cheddar and Monterrey Jack Cheeses
- Cilantro, for garnish if desired
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to reference the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
How do I make taco mac and cheese with Rotel?
- First, start by browning the ground beef. Once browned, drain off any excess grease. Add the taco seasoning and cans of Rotel, with the juices. Stir together well and bring to a simmer. Transfer the seasoned meat to a bowl and cover to keep warm. Rinse out your skillet to make the cheese sauce.
- Begin bringing water to a boil in a large stock pot. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce. In the same large skillet, make a roux using the butter and flour. Melt the butter, and add the flour, whisking together over medium heat to cook the flour. Add in the milk and whisk together over medium heat. It will begin to thicken, then add the beef broth. Continue to whisk until thickened. Add in the shredded cheese and stir until the cheese is melted into the sauce.
- To the cheese sauce, add the drained and cooked pasta and seasoned ground beef. Stir together until all ingredients are coated in the cheese sauce. Enjoy!
Ingredient Substitutions and Recommendations:
- Pasta – I used medium shell pasta, however you can use any medium-sized pasta. Popular choices would be elbow macaroni or rotini.
- Milk – for the cheese sauce, I used 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of beef broth. If you prefer, you can use 3 cups of milk and omit the broth, making a creamier sauce. Whole milk is ideal and will render a creamier sauce, but 2% or skim can also be used. I have not tested this recipe with plant-based milks.
- Cheeses – Shredded sharp cheddar and Monterrey jack are great choices for this taco mac recipe. You can use a combination (1/2 cheddar, 1/2 jack). Another option would be a shredded Mexican blend of cheeses.
Love a great pasta dinner recipe? Check out these other simple dinner options using pasta and noodles:
- Spaghetti with Ground Turkey
- Ground Beef and Ramen Noodles
- Cheeseburger Macaroni
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
- Skillet Lasagna Recipe – also made with ground beef!
- One Pot Cheesy Italian Goulash
- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
- Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken – served with spaghetti
- Healthy Chicken Sausage Pasta
- Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
What can I top my taco macaroni and cheese with?
This taco macaroni and cheese recipe is perfect for topping with any of your favorite taco toppings. Here are some options:
- Fresh Cilantro
- Shredded Cheese
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Shredded Lettuce
- Sliced Avocados
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Sour Cream
- Homemade Taco Sauce
- Classic Pico de Gallo Salsa
- Loaded Guacamole
- Check out my tutorial for How to Make Salsa at Food.com
What can I serve with taco macaroni and cheese?
Here are some sides that would go well with this taco mac recipe:
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
- Aunt Denise’s Southwestern Corn Salsa – great as a side dish or salad!
- Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- Pineapple Mango Salsa
- Mexican Street Corn Salad at Jo Cooks
- How to Make Tacos 5 Ways
If you loved this taco mac recipe, check out some of our other Taco inspired recipes:
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Taco Mac and Cheese
Need an easy weeknight dinner recipe? This taco mac and cheese is a great option that's done in under 30 minutes. Made with a homemade cheese sauce, seasoned ground beef and tender shell pasta, this easy taco mac recipe is fantastic!
Equipment
- Large Skillet This large Anolon 12" Skillet is ideal for making one-pan meals!
- Large Stock Pot or Dutch Oven Ideal for making soups, stews and perfect for cooking pasta.
- Wooden Spurtle Tools This 5-Piece Wooden kitchen tool set is amazing and great for use in non-stick cookware. No scratches and no plastic!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 3 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 12 oz. shell pasta about 3/4 box
- 2 (10 oz. cans) diced tomatoes and chilies like Rotel
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, bring generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta al dente, according to package directions. (Al dente is one minute less than regular cooking time.)
- While water for pasta is coming to a boil and pasta cooks, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat. Add the taco seasoning, 1/4 c. water and 2 cans of Rotel, with the juice. Stir together and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 1-2 minutes. Remove meat from skillet and transfer to a bowl. Cover to keep warm. Rinse out skillet.
- In the same skillet, begin making the cheese sauce. Over medium heat melt the butter. Add the flour to the melted butter and whisk together until mixture begins to bubble and cook. Reduce heat to med-low and pour in the milk, and continue to whisk. Mixture will begin to thicken, then add in the broth. Continue to whisk as mixture thickens again. Add in the shredded cheese, and stir until cheese melts into the sauce.
- To the cheese sauce, add in the cooked pasta and seasoned ground beef mixture. Stir together all ingredients to coat in the cheese sauce.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerated, leftovers will keep for up to 5 days.
Pasta Options: Shell, elbow macaroni, fusilli and bow-tie pasta are all good options.
Nutrition
Serving: 1, 1 1/2 cupsCalories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 43.5gProtein: 28gFat: 23.5gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 957mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sounds great! My GD loves macy cheese so.. maybe shell like this! I know I will. Visiting from Wild Original linky!
My children will love this, thanks for sharing!
Congrats! What a fabulous dinner! We are excited to the you that your Taco Mac & Cheese will be featured this week at Munching Mondays!!
My husband does not like Mac n cheese, but he would like this! Thank you for linking up to Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party. I have pinned your recipe to our Tasty Tuesday’s Pinterest Board.
I have a son who loves pasta, too. Even though he’s gluten free, he has found a gf brand of pasta that he likes. I think he’s going to love this dish. It looks yummy. Thanks.
Hi Erin, Sounds delicious! Your photos are great! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Blessings, Janet
two of my most favorite foods combined?? Oh I’m in trouble now!!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up and don’t forget to leave a comment at the party – Next week’s features that also leave a comment get pinned and tweeted!
Oh my, does this look good. I think you have planned tonight’s supper for me. My family loves Mexican dishes ( some of them are fire-eaters), but I think they would love this! The chips on top are the bomb.
Looks amazing! Pinning it for my next meal plan.
I’m not a huge mac n’ cheese fan but I do on occasion like eating it. This looks like a good combo. I’m saving your recipe to give it a try. Thanks for sharing. Have a happy new year and may God’s good blessings be with you and yours in 2017!
This looks yummy! One of my resolutions for 2017 is to cook more and this recipe looks doable. Pinned to bookmark and share – thank you!
Your Taco Mac and Cheese looks delicious! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Wishing you a fantastic 2017!
Miz Helen
How to make a taco better? Make it in mac and cheese! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
This looks SO good!!! I’m so glad I saw you on Creative Mondays. I am definitely going to try this one!
PINNED! This sounds amazing!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
I LOVE pasta recipes! This recipe looks delicious! Thank you for sharing this recipe! I pinned this recipe so I have it saved!
Definitely, this brings mac and cheese to a whole new level. Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday.
My daughter would go crazy for this! Thank you for bringing your delicious dish to the party! Happy Fiesta Friday!
Absolutely delicious! The ratios of ground beef mixture, pasta, and sauce are perfect in this recipe. I used a scotch bonnet pepper infused cheddar in my sauce to add some more kick. I may add a full packet of taco seasoning next time as we like a lot of spice in our household. Will definitely make again!