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    Home » Main Dish » Taco Mac Casserole

    Taco Mac Casserole

    Published: Aug 7, 2018 · Modified: Mar 2, 2021 by Jennie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    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!

    Taco Mac Casserole in white casserole dish

     

    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.

    preparing and cooking the taco meat

    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.

    taco mac casserole in pan with cream cheese added

    Step five: Add remaining ½ cup cheese to the top of the casserole and bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.

    taco mac casserole in white casserole dish with shredded cheese

     

    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! 

     

    Easy Taco Mac Casserole

    If you tried this recipe or any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and YOUTUBE.

    I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

    Show me what you are making, tag us or use hashtag #TDOARH

     

    Taco Mac Casserole

    Jennie Duncan
    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!
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 405 kcal

    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

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 22gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 83mgSodium: 734mgPotassium: 418mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1011IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 157mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Taco Mac Casserole
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carrie

      January 27, 2019 at 10:20 am

      What Luke good side dishes be for this?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        January 29, 2019 at 9:02 am

        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!

        Reply
    2. Shayla

      November 27, 2018 at 7:08 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        November 27, 2018 at 7:12 pm

        Yeah I think that would be good, extra cheese! And you can serve the sour cream on top once it's ready to serve!

        Reply
    3. Shayla

      November 27, 2018 at 6:32 pm

      Do you think sour cream would work in place of the cream cheese?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        November 27, 2018 at 6:59 pm

        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.

        Reply
    4. Colleen Keller

      October 21, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      Making this as we speak!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        October 24, 2018 at 10:50 am

        Yah! Hope you love it!!

        Reply
    5. Ginid

      October 15, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        October 15, 2018 at 5:25 pm

        That is awesome Ginid, so glad everyone loved the recipe!

        Reply
    6. Tyler Popovec

      September 03, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      I pay a visit each day some web pages and sites to read articles or reviews, but this website presents feature based articles.

      Reply
    7. Sara

      August 31, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      This is one of my favorites, thanks so much for sharing it!

      Reply
    8. Lauren

      August 24, 2018 at 10:04 pm

      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! ❤️❤️❤️

      Reply
      • Jennie

        August 27, 2018 at 4:06 pm

        So glad that yall like it!! I need to had sriracha to it some time when my kids have something else! I love spice!

        Reply
    9. Sarah

      August 19, 2018 at 6:07 pm

      What can be used instead of salsa as I don’t have any?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        August 19, 2018 at 9:36 pm

        Hi Sarah! I think you can used diced tomatoes for even Rotel in the place of salsa. Hope you enjoy the recipe!!

        Reply
    10. Sally Hess

      April 22, 2018 at 3:59 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        April 23, 2018 at 2:42 pm

        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!

        Reply
    11. Stephanie

      April 12, 2018 at 7:54 am

      Love all your recipes!! This one was a hit with the family.

      Reply
    12. Jenn

      March 27, 2018 at 6:22 am

      Can you freeze this for later?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        March 27, 2018 at 3:17 pm

        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.

        Reply
    13. Sherri

      January 25, 2018 at 8:56 pm

      I added hot salsa, and a can of cream of chicken soup! Fantastic!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        January 25, 2018 at 10:12 pm

        That sounds awesome Sherri! I may have to try it that way also =)

        Reply
    14. Brandi

      January 03, 2018 at 4:35 pm

      Yum!!! Loved this dish! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Jennie

        January 03, 2018 at 11:50 pm

        Yah!! So happy to hear that Brandi!

        Reply
    15. Wanda

      September 29, 2017 at 9:16 pm

      Thank you, have a great weekend.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        September 30, 2017 at 3:50 pm

        Thanks Wanda! Same to you =)

        Reply
    16. Wanda

      September 29, 2017 at 5:00 pm

      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??

      Reply
      • Jennie

        September 29, 2017 at 8:58 pm

        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 =)

        Reply
    17. Wanda

      September 29, 2017 at 9:15 am

      Will this dish turn out ok without the cream cheese??

      Reply
      • Jennie

        September 29, 2017 at 4:24 pm

        You can add more shredded cheese to give it that creamy texture if you skip the cream cheese.

        Reply
    18. Corinne

      October 17, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      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.

      Reply
    19. Dawn

      October 05, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Where is the ingredient list?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        October 05, 2016 at 10:54 pm

        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/

        Reply
    20. Courtney

      June 16, 2016 at 10:14 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        June 16, 2016 at 8:58 pm

        That sounds so yummy Courtney!!!

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Jennie! I'm a busy mom of three and I love cooking and sharing easy recipes. From slow cooker meals to casseroles all my recipes are simple to make and ones the entire family will love.

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