Easy Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe

Key Takeaways: This Taco Mac and Cheese is the ultimate weeknight win. It’s a one-pot easy ground beef dinner that combines two family favorites into a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful meal ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for busy schedules, it uses simple pantry staples, requires minimal cleanup, and is endlessly customizable to please even the pickiest eaters.

Introduction: Your New Favorite Easy Ground Beef Dinner

Hi there, it’s Betty from Betty Cooks! If you’re like me, you’re constantly on the hunt for that perfect weeknight recipe—something that’s quick, satisfying, and gets a unanimous thumbs-up from the whole table. Well, search no more. I’m so excited to share this Taco Mac and Cheese recipe with you. It’s the ultimate easy ground beef dinner that cleverly combines the zesty flavors of taco night with the cozy, comforting appeal of creamy mac and cheese. The best part? It all comes together in one pot, meaning flavor-packed meals and easy cleanup. Finding delicious and straightforward recipes for dinner can be a challenge, but this one is a guaranteed hit.

What Makes This Dinner Recipe So Special?

This isn’t just another pasta dish. What sets it apart is how it transforms simple ingredients into something truly special. By cooking the pasta directly in the seasoned cooking liquid (a mix of broth, milk, and tomatoes), the macaroni soaks up all that incredible taco flavor from the very beginning. This method creates a sauce that’s rich and cohesive, not just cheese poured over plain noodles. It’s a fantastic example of how a ground beef recipe for dinner can be both incredibly flavorful and remarkably simple to execute. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent but is smart and efficient to make—a true weeknight hero.

What You’ll Need In Your Kitchen

You don’t need any fancy equipment to master this quick and easy dinner recipe. A large pot or Dutch oven is your main tool here. I love using my enameled cast iron Dutch oven because it distributes heat evenly and goes straight from the stovetop to the table for serving. Other than that, just a good wooden spoon for stirring and a can opener! This simplicity is what makes it such a reliable quick meal for dinner—you likely have everything you need already on hand.

Our Top Tips for Ground Beef Dinner Perfection

• Brown It Right: Take a minute to properly brown your ground beef until it gets those little crispy bits. This “fond” at the bottom of the pot is pure flavor gold and will enrich your entire dish.
• Cheese Matters: For the creamiest melt, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce slightly grainy.
• Let It Rest: I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but letting the finished mac and cheese sit off the heat for 2-3 minutes allows the sauce to thicken up perfectly.

What to Serve with Your Taco Mac and Cheese

This dish is a hearty meal all on its own, but it also plays well with others! For a complete and satisfying quick dinner, I love to round it out with a simple side salad dressed with lime vinaigrette or some quick steamed broccoli. The freshness cuts through the richness beautifully. If you’re feeling festive, set up a topping bar with bowls of diced avocado, sour cream, extra shredded cheese, and jalapeños so everyone can customize their bowl. It turns a simple easy dinner into a fun, interactive meal.

A Short Story: Why We Love Recipes for Dinner

At Betty Cooks, we believe that the best recipes for dinner do more than just fill bellies. They create moments. This Taco Mac and Cheese recipe was born on a particularly chaotic Wednesday. After a long day, I stared into the pantry and fridge, willing dinner to magically appear. I saw ground beef, a box of pasta, and some cheese, and the idea just clicked. Thirty minutes later, we were all sitting together, laughing and eating a meal that felt special. It was a reminder that a great ground beef dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. It just has to be made with a little love and served with joy.

Easy Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe

Make this family-friendly Taco Mac and Cheese for a quick and delicious dinner. An easy one-pot pasta recipe packed with taco flavor and creamy cheese.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Dinners

Cuisine: American

Keywords: comfort food, easy dinner recipes, family dinner, ground beef recipes, one-pot meals, quick pasta recipes, taco mac and cheese

Servings: 6 servings

Author: Betty

Ingredients

For the Taco Meat

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water

For the Mac and Cheese

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional for extra creaminess)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Topping (Optional)

• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños
• Diced avocado
• Extra shredded cheese
• Crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

Cook the Taco Meat

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon.
2. Drain any excess grease. Stir in the taco seasoning and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes. Set aside.

Make the Mac and Cheese

1. To the same pot with the taco meat, add the uncooked macaroni, milk, chicken broth, and the undrained can of diced tomatoes with green chilies.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and sour cream (if using) until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve

1. Let the mac and cheese sit for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
2. Serve hot, topped with your favorite garnishes like cilantro, jalapeños, avocado, extra cheese, or tortilla chips.

Notes

**Storage:** Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
**Make it Spicy:** Use hot taco seasoning and/or add a diced jalapeño to the meat while cooking.
**Make it Vegetarian:** Substitute the ground beef with 1 lb of plant-based ground “meat” or a can of drained black beans. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.