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. I grew up eating this, and your family can enjoy it out! It's way better this way than from a box!
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.
How to make Taco Mac Casserole:
Taco Mac Casserole is a very popular box recipe. Great thing about this easy recipe, it's way better homemade!
Two of your favorite classic meals Tacos and Macaroni and Cheese mixed together to make this amazing hearty meal! Here is what you will need to make it!
Ingredients:
- Macaroni Noodles
- Ground Beef
- Diced Onion
- Minced Garlic
- Salsa
- Taco Seasoning
- Cream Cheese
- Shredded Taco Cheese Blend
Directions:
Step One: Preheat oven for 375 degrees F. Prepare a casserole dish with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
Step Two: Start by cooking the macaroni according to the box directions. Strain, return to pot, and set aside.
- Tip: Make sure the noodles are cooked al dente, as they will be added to the skillet later.
Step Three: 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.
Step Four: Add ground beef mix to noodles and place back on low heat. Add cream cheese and ½ cup shredded cheese and mix until melted and well combined. Add this to your casserole dish.
Here are some of my other macaroni casseroles:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese - Made from scratch just like grandma used to make it, this Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a winning recipe.
Creamy Mac and Cheese Casserole - The classic comfort food is a must try.
American Goulash - This Goulash recipe is my husbands absolute favorite!
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Taco Mac Casserole
Ingredients
- 10 oz Macaroni noodles
- 1 pound Ground beef
- ¼ cup Diced onion
- 1 tablespoon Minced garlic
- 1 cup Salsa
- 1 oz Taco seasoning
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- 1 cup Shredded taco blend cheese
Instructions
- 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 ½ cup shredded cheese and mix until melted and well combined. Add this to your casserole dish.
- Add remaining ½ cup cheese to the top of the casserole and bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Tip: Make sure the noodles are cooked al dente, as they will be added to the skillet later.
Nutrition
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!
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!
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.
Making this as we speak!
Yah! Hope you love it!!
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!
I pay a visit each day some web pages and sites to read articles or reviews, but this website presents feature based articles.
This is one of my favorites, thanks so much for sharing it!
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!
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!!
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 12x9 casserole dish for this recipe. I hope everyone enjoys the recipe! If you have any other questions let me know!
Love all your recipes!! This one was a hit with the family.
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.
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 =)
Yum!!! Loved this dish! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yah!! So happy to hear that Brandi!
Thank you, have a great weekend.
Thanks Wanda! Same to you =)
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 =)
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.
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.
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/
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!!!