This cheesy ground beef dinner is easy, comforting, and perfect for picky eaters.
When you need a fast family meal that feels cozy and satisfying, taco macaroni and cheese is hard to beat. It combines seasoned ground beef, creamy boxed macaroni and cheese, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and taco seasoning into one simple skillet dinner. This quick and easy dinner recipe is especially helpful on busy weeknights when you want something affordable, filling, and kid-friendly without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 boxes Velveeta Macaroni & Cheese
- 1 can diced tomatoes & green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning
This easy taco mac recipe brings together two classic comfort foods: macaroni and cheese and taco-seasoned beef. The result is creamy, cheesy, hearty, and full of flavor. It is made with basic grocery store ingredients, and everything comes together quickly, making it a practical choice for school nights, busy evenings, or any time you want a simple ground beef dinner.
Step 1Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the directions on the box. Velveeta macaroni and cheese includes the cheese sauce, but if you use another brand, check the package because some varieties may require milk, butter, or additional ingredients.
Step 2While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies. If the mixture looks dry, add about 1/4 cup of water. Let it simmer for at least 5 minutes so the flavors can blend.
Step 3Add the prepared macaroni and cheese to the skillet with the taco meat. Stir everything together until the pasta is coated and the beef is evenly mixed throughout. In less than 20 minutes, you have a warm, cheesy, budget-friendly meal ready to serve.
The creamy macaroni and cheese makes this dinner familiar and comforting, while the taco seasoning and tomatoes add just enough extra flavor to keep it interesting. It is a great main dish for families because it is simple, filling, and easy to customize. Serve it as written, or add toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, hot sauce, or diced avocado.
This simple school night meal is affordable, fast, and satisfying. With only a few basic ingredients, you can make a flavorful ground beef pasta dinner that works well for a family table. It is also a smart recipe to keep on hand when you want something warm and filling without making a complicated meal from scratch.
Make the meal complete with your favorite side of vegetables. Air fried zucchini and bell peppers pair especially well with this cheesy taco pasta.
Easy Taco Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 boxes Velveeta macaroni and cheese
- 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Instructions
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Cook both boxes of macaroni and cheese according to the package directions.
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While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain any excess grease, then stir in about 1/4 cup of water, the taco seasoning, and the diced tomatoes with green chilies.
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Let the taco meat simmer for at least 5 minutes. Add the prepared macaroni and cheese to the skillet, stir until combined, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use any brand of boxed macaroni and cheese. Just remember that some brands require milk, butter, or other ingredients to prepare the cheese sauce.
- This cheesy pasta dinner is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with sour cream, hot sauce, avocado, jalapeños, or extra shredded cheese.
- Need an easy side dish? Zucchini and bell peppers are a good match for this meal. Toss them with a little olive oil and seasoning, then cook them in the air fryer, roast them in the oven, or sauté them on the stovetop.
If you enjoy simple ground beef dinners, keep this easy taco macaroni and cheese recipe on your weeknight meal list.
