This Taco Mac Casserole is a family favorite and sure to please any picky eater. Made with seasoned ground beef, salsa, and coated in cream cheese.
Taco Mac Casserole
There is just something about pasta filled cheesy goodness in a casserole. I love combining two favorites to make one awesome meal, Taco Mac Casserole. Pasta and tacos, who would have thought it would be so good together. This is a family favorite recipe that you are going to want to add to your menu list asap! If you love taco recipes as much as we do then make sure to check out all my other taco recipes next.
THE DIARY OF A REAL HOUSEWIFE TV
Taco Recipes:
- Taco Spaghetti
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
- One Pan Taco Pasta
- Cornbread Taco Pie
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Taco Dip
- Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Taco Soup
How to make Taco Mac Casserole:
Time to get cooking! If you have made this recipe in the past then it will be just a little different today. I updated it slightly. I added a little more shredded cheese and used less pasta. Other then that the recipe is the same. If you made this in the past and want to keep it the same use 16 oz of pasta and only 1/2 cup of cheese.
Start by preheating oven for 375 degrees F. Prepare a casserole dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside. Start by cooking your macaroni according to the box directions. Strain, return to pot, and set aside.Cook and crumble ground beef.
Drain fat and add onions and garlic. Cook until onions until translucent. Add taco seasoning and salsa and mix well. Add ground beef mix to noodles and place back on low heat. Add cream cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheese and mix until melted and well combined.
Add this to your casserole dish.Add remaining 1/2 cup cheese to the top of the casserole and bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.
Have leftover macaroni? Try these next:
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese: This is my favorite way to make classic Mac and cheese! It’s what I always serve at thanksgiving or Christmas, my kids love it.
Classic Macaroni Salad: Simple and delicious! This is a classic and my favorite way to make macaroni salad!
Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese: This recipe is taking Mac and cheese to a entirely new level! It’s loaded with ground beef, cheese, and bacon.
This recipe is a classic and so simple to make.
- 10 oz Macaroni noodles
- 1 pound Ground beef
- 1/4 cup Diced onion
- 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
- 1 cup Salsa
- 1 oz Taco seasoning
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- 1 cup Shredded taco blend cheese
Preheat oven for 375 degrees F. Prepare a casserole dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
Start by cooking your macaroni according to the box directions. Strain, return to pot, and set aside.
Cook and crumble ground beef. Drain fat and add onions and garlic. Cook until onions until translucent. Add taco seasoning and salsa and mix well.
Add ground beef mix to noodles and place back on low heat. Add cream cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheese and mix until melted and well combined. Add this to your casserole dish.
Add remaining 1/2 cup cheese to the top of the casserole and bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.
*Recipe updated on 2/23/2018
*pictures updated February 2018
Show me what you are making! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and tag us or use hashtag #TDOARH
I have to tell you, this was a HUGE hit in my house! I added corn to it for a little sweet taste to it.
That sounds so yummy Courtney!!!
Where is the ingredient list?
Hi Dawn! If you click Next I have step by step directions with pictures and a printable version of the recipe! I hope you enjoy this is one of my favorites =)
Here is the link: http://thediaryofarealhousewife.com/taco-mac-casserole-2/
Now this is a recipe I can get the kids on board with! Sending the link to my son in college since he’s been asking for inexpensive, filling meals he can make.
Will this dish turn out ok without the cream cheese??
You can add more shredded cheese to give it that creamy texture if you skip the cream cheese.
Thanks…im going to try that…is that the purpose of cream cheese…it sort of holds the dish together or do you taste it??
I like the taste of the cream cheese with it but it also does help hold it together. The cheese would be a close taste if you wanted to skip out on the cream cheese =)
Thank you, have a great weekend.
Thanks Wanda! Same to you =)
Yum!!! Loved this dish! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yah!! So happy to hear that Brandi!
I added hot salsa, and a can of cream of chicken soup! Fantastic!
That sounds awesome Sherri! I may have to try it that way also =)
Can you freeze this for later?
I think that you could freeze this but have yet to try. I would cook it in an aluminum casserole dish then allow to cool, cover, and freeze. Post pasta casserole dishes can last about 2 months in the freezer.
Love all your recipes!! This one was a hit with the family.
Want to make this for our free community meal May 4. Could you email me with the size of the casserole dish used for the present recipe?
I made this already and halved it for 2 people and had plenty left. It was so good and easy. I will be making it for. 80+ servings.
Hi Sally, I used a 12×9 casserole dish for this recipe. I hope everyone enjoys the recipe! If you have any other questions let me know!
What can be used instead of salsa as I don’t have any?
Hi Sarah! I think you can used diced tomatoes for even Rotel in the place of salsa. Hope you enjoy the recipe!!
Double or triple the taco seasoning, add about a tbsp of sriracha and it’s spicy cheesy taco perfection. My boyfriends and my favourite meal! ❤️❤️❤️
So glad that yall like it!! I need to had sriracha to it some time when my kids have something else! I love spice!
This is one of my favorites, thanks so much for sharing it!
I pay a visit each day some web pages and sites to read articles or reviews, but this website presents feature based articles.
I made this for a cookout, and then again as a side dish for my Christmas Eve Smorgasbord dinner. It was a huge hit! I had to confess, though, that I was flying by the seat of my pants when I threw everything together — didn’t have a recipe to go by, just added things I thought would make the dish yummy. It’s great for large gatherings and an awesome “comfort” food!
That is awesome Ginid, so glad everyone loved the recipe!
Making this as we speak!
Yah! Hope you love it!!
Do you think sour cream would work in place of the cream cheese?
Hi Shayla, I don’t think it would come out the same. The cream cheese really sticks to the noddles for a thick creamy sauce while the sour cream I feel would melt and run off the noddles. Let me know if you try it though, I would love to know how it turned out.
That’s kind of what I thought too, but I don’t have any cream cheese on hand. I think I’ll just add extra cheese and leave the sour cream for serving if anyone wants it. Thanks!
Yeah I think that would be good, extra cheese! And you can serve the sour cream on top once it’s ready to serve!
What Luke good side dishes be for this?
We love serving this with a salad with cilantro and a spicy ranch dressing. I think any steamed veggie or even a cilantro lime rice would be good!