Taco Mac
Whip up a comforting, delicious meal with Taco Mac—a one-skillet wonder blending hearty ground beef, macaroni, and zesty spices. Easy clean-up and family-friendly!
Equipment
- Large Pot - For cooking the pasta
- Skillet - For browning the ground beef
- Baking Dish - An 8x8 or 9x13 pan works well
- Mixing Bowls - For the meat, pasta, sauce, etc.
- Spatula and Wooden Spoon - Helpful for mixing and serving
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons oil for browning the beef
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning or make your own mix
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, adjust based on heat preference
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than the package says. This keeps the pasta nice and al dente.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and toss it with a little oil so the noodles don't stick together. Set it aside for now.
Brown the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season it with salt and pepper. Cook it, breaking up the meat so it crumbles, until no pink bits remain.
- If there's a lot of grease in the pan, drain it out.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a separate saucepan, melt some butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, whisk in the flour. This makes a roux that will thicken the sauce. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes until it turns light golden.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously. This prevents any lumps from forming. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens up.
- Turn the heat down to low and stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack. Keep stirring until all the cheese melts and the sauce is nice and smooth.
- Mix in the taco seasoning and cayenne pepper if you want a little kick. Taste and add salt and pepper until the flavor is just right.
Add Pasta and Beef to Cheese Sauce:
- Pour the cooked pasta and ground beef into the finished cheese sauce. Gently mix everything together until coated evenly with sauce.
Assemble and Bake:
- Pre-heat your oven to 375°F.
- Transfer the taco mac mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle the crushed tortilla chips evenly over the top.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until hot, bubbly and the top is slightly golden.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the taco mac sit for 5 minutes after baking so it can set up. Then dig in while it is still warm!
