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beefy Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Author: Sandy Coughlin
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
This one-skillet Taco Macaroni and Cheese combines creamy, cheesy comfort with the zesty, bold taste of tacos. Featuring a hearty sauce of seasoned ground beef and Ro-Tel, it's finished with cool, fresh toppings for a crowd-pleasing meal!

Ingredients

For the Pasta

  • 1 16 ounces macaroni elbow pasta, (save 1/2 cup pasta water)
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef, or ground turkey
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 14.5-ounce diced tomatoes with green chilis, I buy bulk at Costco
  • 1 10 ounce can Ro-Tel, undrained
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 T sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese, plus more for toppings

For the Sour Cream Sauce

For Toppings

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain, rinse and set aside. *Keep 1/2 cup of the pasta water in case you want to add it to the mixture later.
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any grease. Add the onion and sauté until soft and cooked through, then add the beef back into the skillet and stir.
  • Turn the heat to medium, add the tomatoes, Ro-Tel, and taco seasoning and mix together.
  • Turn to low and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stir, and then add in the pasta. Reduce heat to low and cover and allow to cook on the stovetop for 15-20 minutes. Add in the pasta water if it’s too thick and you want the consistency thinner.
  • Stir in the grated cheese and allow to melt.
  • Turn off heat and stir in the 2 tablespoons of sour cream.

Sour Cream Sauce:

  • Mix the 1/2 cup sour cream with the cumin and chili powder.

Toppings:

  • Top the mixture with the seasoned sour cream, green onions, salsa, guacamole, and more cheese.
  • Serve!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 406kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 88mg, Sodium: 854mg, Potassium: 555mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1007IU, Vitamin C: 8mg, Calcium: 377mg, Iron: 3mg