Description
Hearty Taco Mac brings Mexican-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables with its zesty blend of pasta and savory ground beef. Rich cheese and bold spices create a quick, satisfying meal that will delight you at first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or ground turkey
Pasta and Cheese Base:
- 2 boxes macaroni and cheese
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) milk
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) butter
- Water for boiling pasta
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 can rotel (seasoned diced tomatoes)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Water for taco seasoning (as directed on packet)
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni according to package directions in a large pot, ensuring the pasta is al dente and creamy.
- While the pasta simmers, heat a skillet over medium-high temperature and crumble the ground meat, cooking until it’s evenly browned and no pink remains.
- Drain excess grease from the meat, then return the skillet to the stove and sprinkle taco seasoning over the protein.
- Pour water into the skillet and mix thoroughly, allowing the seasoning to coat the meat completely and create a rich, aromatic sauce.
- Open the Rotel tomatoes and gently fold them into the seasoned meat mixture, letting the ingredients meld together and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the prepared macaroni and cheese directly into the skillet with the taco-seasoned meat and diced tomatoes.
- Carefully fold the components together, ensuring an even distribution of flavors and creating a cohesive, hearty one-pan meal.
- Serve the taco mac immediately while hot, allowing the blend of creamy cheese, spiced meat, and zesty tomatoes to tantalize the taste buds.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef or turkey to reduce overall fat content and make the dish healthier.
- Experiment with different types of cheese like pepper jack or sharp cheddar for more intense flavor variations.
- Use low-sodium taco seasoning to control salt intake and customize spice levels according to personal preference.
- Consider adding black beans or corn for extra nutrition and to create a more substantial one-pot meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg