Description
Taco Macaroni brings together flavorful ground beef, creamy cheeses, and pasta for a quick and comforting meal. It’s perfect for dinner any night!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 packet (1 ounce / 3 tablespoons) taco seasoning, store-bought or homemade
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 2 cups beef broth
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 8 ounces medium shell pasta, uncooked
- 4 ounces cream cheese, diced
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup sour cream, plus more for garnish
- cilantro, chopped for garnish
- jalapeno, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef, breaking it apart until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes; drain excess grease.
- Mix in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for an additional minute.
- Stir in taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, beef broth, heavy cream, and uncooked pasta.
- Combine all ingredients, ensuring pasta is submerged in liquid.
- Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Remove from heat; add cream cheese, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses and stir until melted.
- Fold in sour cream until just mixed, then serve garnished with cilantro, jalapenos, and extra sour cream.
Notes
Feel free to use ground turkey or chicken as a healthier alternative to beef.
For added spice, consider using spicy taco seasoning or fresh chili peppers.
This dish pairs excellently with a side salad or tortilla chips.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 505
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 90mg