Description
This Taco Mac recipe combines the creamy comfort of classic macaroni and cheese with the bold, zesty flavors of seasoned taco meat and spicy Rotel tomatoes. It’s a quick and delicious meal perfect for weeknight dinners, offering a satisfying blend of cheesy pasta and savory, mildly spicy seasoned ground meat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning (usually requires about 2/3 cup water)
- 1 can Rotel (seasoned diced tomatoes with green chilies, 10 oz)
Macaroni and Cheese
- 2 boxes macaroni and cheese (your preferred brand; typically includes pasta, powdered cheese mix, 4 cups boiling water, 1/4 cup butter, and 1/4 cup milk)
Instructions
- Prepare Macaroni and Cheese: In one pot, cook the macaroni and cheese according to the package instructions, which normally involves boiling the pasta, draining if required, then mixing in the cheese powder, butter, and milk until smooth and creamy.
- Brown the Meat: In a separate pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef or turkey until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess fat to keep it from being greasy.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Return the meat to the pan and stir in the taco seasoning along with the amount of water specified (usually around 2/3 cup). Cook and stir until the seasoning is fully incorporated and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Simmer with Rotel Tomatoes: Add the canned Rotel tomatoes, including the juice, to the seasoned meat. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors meld, stirring occasionally.
- Combine and Serve: Once the macaroni and cheese is fully prepared, combine it with the taco meat mixture in the pot or a large serving bowl. Stir well to evenly distribute the taco meat throughout the cheesy pasta, then serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef to reduce fat content.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning or Rotel to control the spice level to your liking.
- Use your favorite brand of boxed macaroni and cheese for different flavor styles.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger gatherings.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
