Description
Turn your weeknight into a fiesta with this Creamy Taco Mac and Cheese! It’s the perfect mashup of comfort and spice—cheesy pasta tossed with seasoned taco beef and melty goodness. This one-pan meal is ready in just 30 minutes and works for busy weeknights, meal prep, or when you need a crowd-pleasing dinner idea. Ideal for those looking for quick dinner, easy recipe, taco pasta, mac and cheese dinner, creamy comfort food, food ideas, and one-pot meals.
Ingredients
8 ounces elbow pasta or cavatappi
1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1/4 cup water
4 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese
1/2 cup Rotel (optional)
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes or jalapeños, sliced (optional topping)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add cream cheese and milk. Stir until smooth and melted.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until fully melted.
6. Add cooked pasta to skillet. Toss until evenly coated.
7. Top with extra cheese, Rotel, green onions, and cherry tomatoes or jalapeños.
8. Serve warm straight from the skillet or transfer to a baking dish to broil for a crisp top.
Notes
Use rotini or shells if cavatappi isn’t available.
Add corn or black beans to bulk it up and add extra fiber.
For a baked version, transfer to a dish, top with cheese, and broil until golden.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: quick dinner, taco mac, cheesy pasta, one pot meal, easy recipe