Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with Taco Mac, a delectable fusion of two iconic dishes: tacos and macaroni and cheese. This culinary masterpiece combines the vibrant flavors of Mexican cuisine with the comforting richness of American comfort food. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you on a culinary journey through various Taco Mac recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved dish. From classic versions featuring seasoned ground beef and a gooey cheese sauce to innovative variations incorporating chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, we've got something to satisfy every palate. So, grab your apron and let's embark on a flavorful adventure as we explore the world of Taco Mac!
Here are our top 13 tried and tested recipes!
EASY TACO MAC AND CHEESE
This is a simple macaroni and cheese recipe with a taco twist. There are multiple ways to mix it up and leave out or use ingredients that you do or don't have. Would love feedback on ways you have mixed it up and what tasted best! Thank you for using. When serving, you can also top the dish with lettuce, tomato, onions, and sour cream.
Provided by Sarah Jayne Jeffries
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Macaroni and Cheese Recipes Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipes
Time 1h1m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add salsa, corn, and taco seasoning. Season meat sauce with salt and pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in pasta and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.
- Combine the meat sauce, pasta, Colby-Jack cheese, and green onions in a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 25 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 379.8 calories, Carbohydrate 30.8 g, Cholesterol 66.1 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 21.4 g, SaturatedFat 11.2 g, Sodium 965.5 mg, Sugar 4.3 g
TACO MAC
This zesty taco mac and cheese is just as yummy the next day. Simply warm it up and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and cheese. -JoLynn Fribley, Nokomis, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Prepare shells and cheese mix according to package directions. Stir in sausage, taco sauce and seasoning; cook and stir until heated through. Top with lettuce, tomatoes and, if desired, cheddar cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pasta mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little milk if necessary. Garnish as directed.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 465 calories, Fat 20g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 54mg cholesterol, Sodium 1413mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
TACO MAC 'N' CHEESE
Provided by James Briscione
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 8 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Place a large saute pan over high heat, add the ground beef and taco seasoning, reserving 1 tablespoon of the mix for the Perfect Cheese Sauce. Mix thoroughly. Cook, stirring often using a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small crumbles. Continue cooking until the meat releases its liquid, and then cook further until all the liquid has evaporated and the meat begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
- Combine the Perfect Cheese Sauce and cooked pasta in a large bowl. Pour in the cooked meat and stir to combine. Pour into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Level the pasta with the back of a spoon or spatula. Scatter the grated Cheddar over the pasta. Bake until browned and bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
- Immediately before serving, scatter the sour cream, lettuce and fresh tomato over the mac 'n' cheese.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
- Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.
TACO MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: lean ground beef, kosher salt, taco seasoning, Kraft® Macaroni and Cheese Blue Box Original, unsalted butter, milk, Kraft® Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Cholula® Hot Sauce, small tomato, green onion
Provided by KraftHeinz
Categories Dinner
Yield 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring 6 cups (1 liter) of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the macaroni and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
- While the macaroni is cooking, heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, until browned. Mix in 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Drain the macaroni in a colander (do not rinse), then return to the pot over low heat. Add the butter, milk, cheese sauce mix, ¼ cup (25 G) Kraft® Shredded Cheddar Cheese, and the remaining tablespoon of taco seasoning and stir well until creamy. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Heat the broiler to high.
- Fold the ground beef into the mac and cheese, then transfer to a medium oven-safe container. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup (100 G) Kraft® Shredded Cheddar Cheese on top.
- Broil the mac and cheese for 2-4 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle with the Cholula® Hot Sauce, then top with the tomato and green onion. Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 703 calories, Carbohydrate 46 grams, Fat 40 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 35 grams, Sugar 8 grams
MEXI-MAC BURGERS AND WAFFLE FRIES WITH TACO SAUCE
I call my version of a Big Mac a "Big S'mack." This is my "Spicy Mexi-Mac." The patties are half beef, half chorizo. It's burger and fries with a south of the border twist. The secret to this flavorful burger is the mix of chorizo and ground beef, and just a few spices turn these frozen waffle fries into a zesty, spiced side.
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 30
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F with rack above center.
- Gather your ingredients.
- For the waffle fries: Line a baking sheet with parchment, scatter the waffle fries and place in oven to cook 25 minutes. Give the pan a shake or the fries a flip once, midway. In a small ramekin, combine about 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the cumin, chili powder, coriander and granulated garlic. Thinly slice the scallions. To serve, toss fries with spices.
- For the special sauce: In a small bowl, combine sour cream and ketchup. Remove the jalapenos from brine, place on cutting board and add a small splash of brine to sauce. Finely chop peppers and stir into sauce.
- For the burgers: Preheat large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
- Peel and grate garlic and a quarter of the onion -- save the remaining onion for topping. Cut casing off from fresh chorizo and place in bowl. Add beef and season with salt, pepper, grated garlic and onion and Worcestershire sauce. Combine the sausage and beef. Score the meat into 4 sections. Form 4 meat patties thinner at center than the edges for even cooking. Drizzle the patties with oil.
- Chop the remaining onion and chop some lettuce, about 2 cups.
- Crisp the patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes. Flip the patties and top with a slice of both cheeses and cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
- To build burgers: bun bottom, onions, pickles, lettuce, patties, special sauce, bun top. Pile the fries alongside and top with taco sauce and reserved scallions.
- Add ice, mezcal, juices and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Shake or stir then drain into a highball full of ice. Top with a splash of seltzer.
TACO MAC BUFFALO HOT WINGS
My husband loves Taco Mac. We moved to Denver recently and no Taco Mac.This is my attempt to duplicate them for him. He loved them so I guess they are close.
Provided by debbies dishes
Categories Chicken
Time 45m
Yield 2-3 pounds wings, 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and sugar; mix well in a pot and warm the sauce until butter is melted. Keep warm until ready to use.
- If the wings are frozen, be sure to defrost and dry them.
- If they have not been clipped yet, clip the tips off, and separate at the joint.
- Wash them well in cool water. Season with salt, paprika and cayenne.
- Put on a paper towel covered rack/tray in the refrigerator overnight to air dry. ( This is critical if you want to match the texture of Taco Macs, especially if they were frozen).
- Oil should be about 375 degrees. Deep fry the wings in batches until just golden, about 10 to 15 minutes or until some parts of the wings begin to turn dark brown.
- Remove the wings from the oil to a paper towel covered pain to drain and put in a warm oven (200 degrees) while cooking the remaining wings. But don't let them sit too long, because you want to serve the wings hot.
- Put the wings into a large bowl with lid. Add the hot sauce. Put on the lid, then shake making sure to coat all the wings evenly. Serve any left over sauce on the side.
- Serve with Bleu cheese dressing and celery sticks. Don't forget the beer!
TACO MAC & CHEESE
I came up with this recipe on a night when I was super exhausted after work but wanted to at least attempt to cook something for dinner. This is quick, easy, and delish!
Provided by megs_
Categories Cheese
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Make box of macaroni and cheese as directed.
- Meanwhile, brown ground beef and drain.
- Add taco seasoning/water.
- Simmer meat mixture for 5 minutes.
- While simmering, add 1 tbsp hot sauce and 1 tbsp butter. Mix well.
- Drain meat.
- Add meat to macaroni and cheese, mix well.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, mix gently 'til melted.
- Serve! YUM!
ONE POT CHEESY TURKEY TACO CHILI MAC RECIPE - (4.7/5)
Provided by á-172427
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot with a fitted lid over medium-high heat and spray with oil, brown the turkey breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. When cooked through, add the onions, garlic, pepper and taco seasoning; cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, refried beans, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. Stir in the uncooked pasta and simmer uncovered over medium heat until al dente, about 6 minutes or according to package directions. Remove the pot from heat and top with the cheese, cover and let sit for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese melts. Serve immediately garnished with fresh cilantro and scallions.
ONE POT CHEESY TURKEY TACO CHILI MAC (SKINNYTASTE)
Steps:
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot with a fitted lid over medium-high heat and spray with oil, brown the turkey breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. When cooked through, add the onions, garlic, pepper and taco seasoning; cook 2-3 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, refried beans, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. Stir in the uncooked pasta and simmer uncovered over medium heat until al dente, about 6 minutes or according to package directions.
ONE POT CHEESY TURKEY TACO CHILI MAC
Categories turkey
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Heat a large Dutch oven or pot with a fitted lid over medium-high heat and spray with oil, brown the turkey breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. When cooked through, add the onions, garlic, pepper and taco seasoning; cook 2-3 minutes. Add the canned tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce, refried beans, chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. Stir in the uncooked pasta and simmer uncovered over medium heat until al dente, about 6 minutes or according to package directions. Remove the pot from heat and top with the cheese, cover and let sit for about 2-3 minutes, until the cheese melts. Serve immediately garnished with fresh cilantro and scallions.
TACO MAC RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: grass-fed organic ground beef, white onion, organic white mushroom, organic baby spinach, miyokos vegan cheddar cheese, siete foods taco seasoning, Jovial Foods gluten free elbow macaroni, avocado oil, salt
Provided by Dani McBride
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add onions and sauté for about 5 minutes.
- To this, add ground beef and cook until browned. Once browned, add in mushrooms and spinach.
- Sauté all ingredients together for another 5 minutes or so until beef is completely cooked, mushrooms are tender and spinach has wilted.
- Add taco seasoning and ⅓ cup water. Once combined, add in vegan cheese and mix everything together.
- Cover and stir frequently until the cheese has completely melted.
- Cook pasta according to directions on the box. Once done add pasta directly into the skillet and mix everything together. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 679 calories, Carbohydrate 76 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 33 grams, Sugar 4 grams
TASTY TACO MAC
My son loves this...he'll eat it till it's gone...lol! It's a lot like Goulash...add condiments, such as sour cream, extra onions, jalapeno slices etc... My son prefers it right from the pan, the way it is...you could serve it with a simple salad, and some crusty bread, and you'll have one tasty meal. Even better...
Provided by Cassie *
Categories Beef
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Cook your pasta as stated on box or bag, drain - don't rinse.
- 2. In a large skillet, brown ground beef, peppers and onions, until beef is no longer pink, and veggies are soft. Drain
- 3. Add 1 1/2 packages of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Simmer for a few minutes. (You can add 2 whole packages of seasoning if you wish for more taco flavor. think 1 1/2 is just right.)
- 4. Add tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, seasonings. Simmer until heated through.
- 5. Stir in your pasta.
- 6. Sprinkle cheese evenly on top, cover and remain cooking until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
TACO MAC
You can use any kind of pasta/noodles/rice, just be sure to cook it first! Note: The cook time is an estimate! The egg noodles take less than 10 minutes and the ground beef takes about the same amount of time -- and they can be done at the same time. The key part of this recipe is the cheese sauce (which is essentially a...
Provided by Elizabeth Gossett
Categories Casseroles
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- 1. Add all ingredients from chili powder to pepper in container with a lid. Cover with lid and shake to combine. Set aside.
- 2. Add 1 cup water and egg noodles to pot, cover with lid and heat over medium. Toss to coat noodles with water and cook about 8 minutes. Once cooked all the way through remove from heat and set aside. Brown ground beef in skillet and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Once browned, drain and set aside.
- 3. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in flour. Allow to cook for a couple of minutes. Add in chicken broth and milk, whisking to avoid clumps.
- 4. Gradually add in shredded cheese, about half a handful at a time and whisk to make sure it melts smoothly.
- 5. Once the cheese sauce is finished, combine the egg noodles, ground beef, cheese sauce and taco seasoning from step 1 above in large dish. Serve and enjoy!
Tips:
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and add an extra can of black beans.
- To make the dish spicier, add a teaspoon of chili powder or cayenne pepper.
- If you don't have taco seasoning, you can make your own by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- For a cheesier mac and cheese, add an extra cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- To make the dish more kid-friendly, omit the jalapeños.
- Serve with your favorite taco toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and shredded lettuce.
Conclusion:
Taco mac is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a potluck. It is a great way to use up leftover taco meat, and it is also a good way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. With its combination of cheesy macaroni and savory taco flavors, taco mac is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love