Go Back
Best Taco Mac and Cheese

Best Taco Mac and Cheese

Cheesy mac with taco-seasoned beef, tomatoes, and golden panko topping — hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • Taco Beef:
  • 1 lb 450 g ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 packet or 2 tbsp taco seasoning (or homemade: chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano)
  • 1 can 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained
  • 1 can 4 oz diced green chilies
  • Mac & Cheese Base:
  • 12 oz 340 g elbow macaroni or cavatappi
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups 720 ml whole milk
  • 2 cups 200 g shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup 100 g shredded pepper jack or Monterey Jack
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Brown beef + onion → add spices + tomatoes.
  • Cook pasta al dente.
  • Make cheese sauce → combine everything.
  • Top with panko-cheese → bake 375 °F 20–25 min.
  • Rest 5 min → serve.

Notes

  • Rotel = built-in flavor + juice
  • Broil last 2 min = extra crisp
  • Freezes & reheats beautifully
  • Day 2 = even cheesier
  • Chicken or veggie versions = elite