Taco Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
Taco Macaroni and Cheese is a cheesy, flavorful one-pot meal with seasoned beef and pasta, ready in 35 minutes—perfect for quick, comforting dinners!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion finely diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2½ cups beef broth low sodium recommended
- 1 cup chunky salsa your favorite kind—mild, medium, or hot
- 1 packet taco seasoning use a pre-made mix or your favorite homemade version
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups dry pasta shells
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese either sharp or medium will work perfectly.
Optional Toppings:
- A dollop of sour cream
- Crushed corn chips or tortilla strips for crunch
- Fresh avocado slices
- Diced ripe tomatoes
- Chopped green onions
- Fresh cilantro or parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Pour a bit of olive oil into a large Dutch oven and warm it over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the chopped onion and sauté it until it turns soft and slightly golden.
- Add the ground beef to the pot, along with a good pinch of salt and some freshly cracked black pepper. Stir the meat with a wooden spoon, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks and browns. Once there’s no pink left, carefully drain off the excess grease so the dish doesn’t end up too heavy.
- Now stir in the beef broth, your favorite salsa (chunky or smooth—go with what you love), taco seasoning, garlic powder, and dry pasta. Mix everything well so the flavors start to come together.
- Put the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to low. Allow it to simmer softly for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking and to ensure it cooks evenly.
- After about 15 minutes, check on the pasta. Once the majority of the liquid has been absorbed, it’s ready to serve. If it still looks a bit soupy, take the lid off and let it simmer for a few extra minutes so the extra moisture can cook off.
- Once the pasta is cooked and the sauce has thickened up, turn off the heat. Stir in the cream cheese along with 2 cups of shredded cheddar (or your favorite cheese combination). Keep mixing until the cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, creamy sauce that clings to every piece of pasta and beef.
- When you're ready to serve, sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top while it's still hot so it melts slightly. Feel free to finish it off with your favorite toppings—think sliced jalapeños, green onions, a dollop of sour cream, or even crushed tortilla chips for a bit of crunch.
