Taco Mac and Cheese (Printer-Friendly)
Cheesy taco-inspired mac with pasta, seasoned beef, and Tex-Mex toppings, ready in under 30 minutes for weeknight dinners.
# What You’ll Need to Cook:
→ Pasta
01 -
300 g elbow macaroni or other short tubular pasta
→ Beef and aromatics
02 -
450 g lean ground beef
03 -
1 medium onion, finely diced
04 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Seasoning
05 -
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
→ Sauce base
06 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 -
400 ml whole milk
→ Cheese
09 -
120 g sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
10 -
120 g Colby Jack cheese, freshly grated
11 -
60 g additional cheese, for topping
→ Beans
12 -
200 g canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
# Steps to Prepare:
01 -
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
02 -
In a large oven-safe skillet, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat and add diced onion, minced garlic, and taco seasoning. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, then transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
03 -
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add whole milk, whisking to avoid lumps. Simmer until thickened, then reduce heat and stir in freshly grated cheddar and Colby Jack cheese until fully melted and smooth.
04 -
Return the seasoned beef mixture to the skillet. Add cooked pasta and drained pinto beans. Gently fold to combine, ensuring every ingredient is coated in the cheese sauce.
05 -
Scatter additional grated cheese over the surface. Place skillet under preheated broiler for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
06 -
Remove from oven and let stand briefly before serving. Garnish with desired toppings such as diced avocado, fresh salsa, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños.
# Extra Cooking Tips:
01 -
For best melting, grate cheese fresh rather than using pre-shredded varieties, as they contain additives that prevent optimal texture.
02 -
Cook pasta just to al dente to maintain structure when mixing with sauce and under broiler.
03 -
Swap beef with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter variation, or substitute pasta with cooked cauliflower for a low-carb alternative.
04 -
If you do not have an oven-safe skillet, assemble pasta in a greased baking dish before broiling.