Adding ground beef to mac n cheese takes it from side dish to main meal, especially if you add salsa, seasonings, and toppings that turn it into a tasty Taco Mac! This satisfying dinner is ready in 22 minutes.
My family loves macaroni and cheese. They also love taco night. Why not combine the two into a delicious and filling meal that comes together quickly?
This is also one of those great recipes that is easy to make little substitutions and additions so that it is perfect for your family and never gets boring. You can add extra taco toppings, switch up the cheese choices, and more.
Scroll down to read more about the ingredients and about a shortcut to quicker mac, or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Video: Making Taco Mac And Cheese
What’s in Mac and Cheese?
Taco mac n cheese is all about adding taco flavors to your pasta. We’re doing that by adding both taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade taco seasoning) and salsa.
There’s also lots of Cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and green onions. You can add other favorite taco toppings as well, like avocado, black olives, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and more. You can even top your dish with crushed tortilla chips for an added crunch.
Actually, years ago when my kids didn’t both like tomatoes or green onion, I didn’t stir those in, and instead I put all the toppings out on the table, buffet-style, so that everyone could add what they wanted to their own. It was always a hit.
Want another fun recipe with taco flavors? Try our Taco Bell copycat Grilled Cheese Burrito!
Ingredient Substitutions
Ground chicken or ground turkey (cook ground turkey like this so it’s juicy and flavorful) can be used instead of ground beef. Ground pork or a mixture of beef and pork is really tasty too.
If you don’t have taco seasoning, you can make a small or large batch of homemade taco seasoning using this recipe. Or just use 4 teaspoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 tsp. salt. Add more salt to taste as needed.
You can use 1/2 cup from a can of Rotel instead of the salsa, or 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes (season them up though).
Instead of the heavy cream, you can use whole milk or canned evaporated milk (fat-free, 2% or whole milk versions all work). Just note that sometimes dairy and tomatoes can curdle together. The higher fat content of cream usually prevents the curdling. If using anything else, and even if using the cream, make sure you take it off the heat before adding it, and don’t bring it back up to a simmer after adding it.
Other cheeses also work great in this. You just need something that melts. Shredded mozzarella and Monterey jack are both good choices for this recipe or try a Mexican cheese blend.
Shortcut Taco Mac
If you want all the delicious flavors of the taco mac n cheese recipe, but need to keep things simpler, here’s what to do. Make an even easier Taco Mac by preparing two boxes of Kraft Mac n’ Cheese (or make a batch of this super simple viral 3-Ingredient Evaporated Milk Mac n Cheese). To that, add your cooked ground beef with taco seasoning and Rotel or salsa. Stir and enjoy!
More Macaroni And Cheese Recipes
Need more deliciously cheesy recipes? We’ve got you covered with all your favorites mac n cheese recipes right here. And I’m linking to two of our fan-favorites too:
Podcast Episode: Making Taco Mac n Cheese
Click the play button below to listen to me explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way!
Easy Taco Mac and Cheese
Adding seasoned beef to mac n cheese takes it from side dish to main meal, especially if you add salsa, seasonings, and toppings that turn it into a tasty taco mac. You can optionally add your favorite taco toppings on top, like avocado, sour cream and cilantro.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 12 oz. elbow macaroni
- 1.3 lbs. lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 large tomato, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and spread it out. Allow to cook undisturbed until browning underneath, 3-4 minutes. Flip and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through fully, another 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the taco seasoning and then stir in the broth. Once mixed in, add the salsa and stir. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes.
- Take off of the heat. Stir in the cream. Stir in the cheese and keep stirring until the cheese is fully melted, about 1 minute.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce and stir to coat.
- Stir in the tomatoes and green onion and serve.
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The taco mac and chess was different but do you do gluten free recipes? As my daughter in law could not eat this dish.
Kind regards
Anns
I’m sorry, Anna, but I do not specialize in gluten-free recipes. I know that many companies do have gluten-free pasta options now so you may be able to substitute in that kind of noodle. Good luck!
OMG I made this for my kids last night before trick or treating and they gobbled this up. It is such an amazing combo.