Description
This creamy, cheesy Taco Macaroni & Cheese is the ultimate comfort food mashup—bringing together tender shell pasta, seasoned ground beef, and a velvety cheese sauce with bold Tex-Mex flavor. Perfect for quick dinners, easy meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, it’s a satisfying weeknight hero that comes together in just 30 minutes. Loaded with taco seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes, and two kinds of cheese, it’s one of those easy recipes that everyone asks for seconds. Ideal for easy dinners, food ideas for picky eaters, or new twists on family favorites.
Ingredients
8 oz small shell pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can diced green chiles (4 oz)
4 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
Salt to taste
Instructions
1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, then drain excess fat.
2. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant.
3. Stir in taco seasoning and toast for a minute to release flavor.
4. Add fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles, simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Boil pasta separately in salted water until just al dente, then drain.
6. Reduce skillet heat to low and mix in cream cheese until melted.
7. Stir in cheddar cheese and milk until sauce is smooth and creamy.
8. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat fully in the cheesy taco sauce.
9. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken, then taste and adjust seasoning.
10. Serve hot with your favorite toppings like sour cream, jalapeños, or green onions.
Notes
Use full-fat cream cheese for the creamiest sauce.
Freshly shredded cheddar melts better than pre-shredded.
Don’t overcook the pasta—it continues to soften in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: taco mac and cheese, easy dinner, comfort food, quick pasta, taco pasta, cheesy beef pasta