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.
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 than 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 the oven for 375 degrees F. Prepare a casserole dish with nonstick 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 mixture 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 Video
*Recipe updated on 2/23/2018
*pictures updated February 2018
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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!
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.
Love all your recipes!! This one was a hit with the family.
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.
Can you freeze this for later?
That sounds awesome Sherri! I may have to try it that way also =)
I added hot salsa, and a can of cream of chicken soup! Fantastic!
Yah!! So happy to hear that Brandi!
Yum!!! Loved this dish! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Wanda! Same to you =)
Thank you, have a great weekend.
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 =)
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??
You can add more shredded cheese to give it that creamy texture if you skip the cream cheese.
Will this dish turn out ok without 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.
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/
Where is the ingredient list?
That sounds so yummy Courtney!!!
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.