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Can’t decide between mac and cheese and tacos? Enjoy the best of both worlds with this taco macaroni and cheese. It’s a one pot, Dutch oven 30 minute meal boasting both Mexican and Italian flavours in every mouthful. It makes really satisfying comfort food and is a perfect meal for the cooler months when you are craving something hearty and warming. This one pot cheesy taco meal is sure to get rave reviews!

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

Taco macaroni and cheese is a simple 30 minute meal that you can make in one pot. South of the border flavours combine with cream cheese and pasta to make this hearty dish. It’s a brand new take on classic mac ‘n cheese.

These baby chick mini cheese balls are super-cute if you’re a cheese fan. Perhaps try taco stuffed zucchini boats too, or some taco flavored recipes.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

Taco Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients

The ingredients you’ll need include beef, onion, broth, salsa, taco seasoning, garlic, pasta, cream cheese, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Optional garnishes include crushed corn chips, sour cream, tomatoes, avocados, and tomatoes.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

Feel free to make any substitutions you want, including another kind of ground meat in place of the beef, or even using leftover taco meat instead of the ground beef.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

If you’re using a light protein such as ground chicken, you might also want to swap the beef broth for chicken broth.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

You can also choose a spicy, medium or mild salsa – whichever suits your palate.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

How to Make Taco Macaroni and Cheese

The first step in this one pot cheesy taco skillet is to heat some oil in a Dutch oven (or large pot) and then you can fry the onion in there, before adding the beef, and some salt and black pepper. Once there is no pink left in the meat, drain off the fat.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

Stir the broth, salsa, taco seasoning, taco seasoning, and pasta shapes. Put the lid on the Dutch oven and let it gently cook for about 15 minutes, stirring it occasionally. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the liquid is absorbed. This taco macaroni casserole is sure to be a family favourite!

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

Take the pan off the heat and stir in the cream cheese and some of the shredded cheese. Serve the mac and cheese with the remaining shredded cheese sprinkled on top.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best one pot taco macaroni and cheese. This 30 minute meal is made in a Dutch oven.

Why Every Home Cook Needs a Dutch Oven

Although you can make taco macaroni and cheese in any heavy pot, a Dutch oven is a great option. This pot is heavy and made from cast iron. You can use it on the stove or in the oven and it’s ideal for pot roasts, braised dishes and taco macaroni and cheese of course.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best taco macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese recipe is a tasty comfort food dinner.

Even if you tend to cook a lot in your Instant Pot, you’ll still find meat browns quicker and better in a Dutch oven. You can brown it in there and then transfer it into your Instant Pot. It’s also great for cooking pasta and making soup. You don’t even have to decant your meal from the Dutch oven into a serving dish, since Dutch ovens tend to look fancy. If there’s one pot you’ll always enjoy using, it’s one of these.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best taco macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese recipe is a tasty comfort food dinner.

Some Dutch ovens cost upwards of $300 but that’s far from your only option. This 6-quart version is is priced at just over $50 which is a great price. If you really want to splurge, you’ll love this Le Creuset Dutch Oven. It’s pretty expensive at $350 though so perhaps just add it to your Amazon wish list around Christmas and hope for the best!

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best taco macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese recipe is a tasty comfort food dinner.
Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best taco macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese recipe is a tasty comfort food dinner.

Taco Macaroni and Cheese FAQs

Can you make this 30 minute meal ahead?

You can, since leftovers will be fine for 4 or 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stove, adding a little more broth if needed.

Is this a spicy recipe?

This depends what kind of salsa you use, but if you do want to liven it up, you might like to add some fresh chillies, chilli flakes or hot sauce. If not, use mild salsa and don’t add any chillies. If some people like it hot, you can always offer hot sauce at the table so they can add their own.

Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best taco macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese recipe is a tasty comfort food dinner.
Food blogger, Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella, shares a recipe for the best taco macaroni and cheese. This mac & cheese recipe is a tasty comfort food dinner.

One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

5 from 40 votes

The BEST One Pot Taco Macaroni and Cheese

Enjoy the best of both worlds with this taco macaroni and cheese. It's a one pot, Dutch oven 30 minute meal boasting both Mexican and Italian flavours in every mouthful. It makes really satisfying comfort food and is a perfect meal for the cooler months.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 white onion, small, diced
  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 ½ Cups beef broth
  • 1 Cup salsa
  • 1 Package taco seasoning
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 Cups pasta shells, dry
  • 4 Ounces cream cheese
  • 3 Cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

Instructions 

  • Use a dutch oven to heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry the onion until it is soft. Then add the ground beef, salt and pepper . Use a wooden spoon to break up any chunks of meat as it cooks. When the beef is no longer pink, drain the fat out of the pan.
  • Stir in the broth, salsa, taco seasoning, garlic powder, and pasta.
  • Put the lid on the dutch oven and allow this mixture to cook for about 15 minutes, on low heat. Stir the mixture every 5 minutes or so. Remove the lid. If the liquid is absorbed, you can move to the next step. Otherwise, leave the lid off and cook for a few more minutes to allow the extra moisture to steam off.
  • Turn off the heat and add the cream cheese and 2 cups of shredded cheese (leave the extra cup of cheese to use as a topping). Stir until the cheese is completely melted.
  • When you are ready to serve the taco mac and cheese, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and serve with any other garnishes you choose.

Notes

Optional garnishes: sour cream, crushed corn chips, green onions, diced tomatoes, or avocados.

Nutrition

Calories: 1102kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 66g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 2706mg | Potassium: 876mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2364IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 698mg | Iron: 5mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Looking for a one pot 30 minute meal? If you’re a mac and cheese fan, I just know you’re going to love this mac and cheese with taco meat which pairs south of the border flavours with pasta and cheese for a delicious, fusion meal.

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Bella Bucchiotti

Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.

 

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5 from 40 votes (34 ratings without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    From the titles itself, the BEST! It is the best, indeed! No leftover yesterday when I made this! 😋

  2. Looks amazing! I think I’m going to adapt this to make it in my Instant Pot. I will probably reduce the pasta to 2 cups, keep everything else the same but only use enough broth to barely cover everything once it’s all in there and it should turn out good. Thanks for the recipe and idea!