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Taco Mac and Cheese

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Need an easy dinner idea that everyone will love?  This simple, delicious Taco Mac and Cheese is perfect for any night of the week. Made with a homemade cheese sauce, seasoned ground beef and tender shell pasta, this taco mac recipe is a crowd-pleaser!

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Taco mac and cheese in skillet, with text overlay.

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.

Ingredients needed to make taco mac and cheese.
Ingredients to make cheese sauce for taco mac and cheese.

What ingredients are needed for taco mac 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!

Ground beef, taco seasoning and Rotel for taco mac and cheese.
Cooked and seasoned taco meat for taco mac and cheese.
Cheese sauce in skillet for taco mac and cheese.
Cheese sauce, pasta and seasoned ground beef in skillet for taco mac and cheese.

How do I make homemade taco mac and cheese?

  1. 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.
  2. Begin bringing water to a boil in a large stock pot. Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package directions.
  3. 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.
  4. 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:

What can I top my taco mac and cheese with?

This taco mac recipe is perfect for topping with any of your favorite taco toppings. Here are some options:

Taco mac and cheese being spooned out of skillet.
Taco mac and cheese on plate with side salad.

What can I serve with taco mac and cheese?

Here are some sides that would go well with this taco mac recipe:

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Taco mac and cheese on plate with side salad.

Taco Mac and Cheese

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

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!

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. lean ground beef
  • 3 Tbsp. taco seasoning
  • 12 oz. (about 3/4 box) medium shell pasta
  • 2 (10 oz.) cans, diced tomatoes and chilies, like Rotel
  • 1/4 c. water

Cheese Sauce:

  • 6 Tbsp. butter
  • 6 Tbps. flour
  • 2 c. milk
  • 1 c. beef broth
  • 2 c. shredded cheese, like sharp cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese
  • Cilantro for topping, if desired

Instructions

  1. 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.)
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. To the cheese sauce, add in the cooked pasta and seasoned ground beef mixture. Stir together all ingredients to coat in the cheese sauce.
  5. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerated, leftovers will keep for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 497Total Fat: 23.5gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 113mgSodium: 957mgCarbohydrates: 43.5gNet Carbohydrates: 40gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 28g
© Erin Indahl-Fink
Cuisine: Mexican/American / Category: Dinner/Main Dish
Four photos in collage of steps to make taco mac and cheese.

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Comments

  4. Tammy @ creativekkids says

    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.
    Reply

  5. Barbara Bianchi says

    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.
    Reply

  7. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    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!
    Reply

  8. Kim Smith says

    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.
    Reply

  10. Cathy Kennedy says

    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!
    Reply

  12. Miz Helen says

    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
    Reply

  15. Jess says

    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!
    Reply

  19. Maggie Peterson says

    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!
    Reply

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