Description
Taco Mac is a delicious and comforting one-pot dinner that merges the bold flavors of tacos with creamy macaroni and cheese. This hearty dish features seasoned ground beef, sautéed bell peppers and onions, protein-rich pasta, and a unique cheese sauce made from cottage cheese and sharp cheddar. Perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal, Taco Mac brings vibrant Tex-Mex tastes into a cheesy, wholesome pasta dish.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 bell peppers, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 16 oz protein pasta
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning or ¼ cup taco seasoning
Cheese Sauce
- 16 oz cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (if needed to thin)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Prepare the protein pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced bell peppers and onion, season with salt, and cook until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Cook the ground beef. Push the softened vegetables to the edges of the pan, then add the ground beef to the center. Brown the meat thoroughly, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Prepare cheese sauce. While the meat cooks, blend together the cottage cheese, shredded cheddar, nutritional yeast, and hot sauce in a blender or food processor until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Drain excess grease. Once the beef is fully browned, use a paper towel and tongs to absorb and remove the excess grease from the pan for a less oily dish.
- Combine all ingredients. Add the drained diced tomatoes with green chilis, taco seasoning, cooked pasta, and cheese sauce to the skillet with the meat and vegetables. Stir everything thoroughly until well combined and heated through.
- Serve. Once everything is hot and blended, serve your Taco Mac immediately for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute protein pasta with your preferred pasta type.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce according to your spice preference.
- If you prefer a thicker cheese sauce, reduce the amount of milk or omit it.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat or beans and use vegetarian taco seasoning.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
