Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (2024)

By Annie Holmes Published in 30 Minutes or Less

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

This easy Taco Mac recipe is a quick, one-pan, 30-minute meal packed with taco meat, noodles and cheese! Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (1)

This is such a crazy time of year for us. The shop is gearing up for the holidays and Mr. Maebell usually takes a few trips so we always spread a little thin. A fanciful dinner is not an option (and we had Air Fryer Baked Potatoes 3 times last week, so I guess I should switch it up). I am all about super easy, inexpensive meals and bonus points if it can be made in one pan!

This Easy Taco Mac recipe fits the bill perfectly. From start to finish, this is a 30-minute meal made in one pan so clean up is a breeze. It also uses basic pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. If you’re looking for more super simple meals, try this Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap!

This is a great meal to fit a family or if you are like us and just cooking for two you will have plenty of left overs for lunch or a repeat dinner!

Looking for a lower-carb dinner? Try this Taco Spaghetti Squash Casserole – All the same great flavors for under 6 net carbs! Here’s a great Keto Taco Pizza, too – 5 net carbs per slice and super kid friendly!

Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (2)
Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (3)

Ingredients in Taco Mac

The best part about this recipe is that it is made in one pan! The second best thing is that the ingredients are so basic. This recipe has mostly pantry staples you probably keep handy.

  • Ground beef or ground turkey
  • Elbow noodles (I use Barilla gluten-free)
  • Beef or chicken broth
  • Canned tomatoes with green chilies
  • Milk
  • Tomato sauce
  • Taco seasoning
  • Cheddar cheese
Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (4)
Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (5)

How to Make Taco Mac

Just five simple steps give you an easy one pan pasta dish that has all the flavor of tacos! Top with any of your favorite fixings like avocado, sour cream or hot sauce!

Here are the basic steps to making taco mac and cheese:

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat.
  2. Add the undrained can of tomatoes with green chilies, broth, milk, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.
  3. Increase heat to medium high until the mixture begins to simmer.
  4. Stir in the noodles and reduce the heat to low. Cover and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes.
  5. When the noodles are tender, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (6)
Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (7)

Can I Make This Vegetarian?

I’m sure you can! I’d recommend omitting the meat and adding a drained can of beans in its place (perhaps two cans, depending on how chunky you want your taco mac ‘n’ cheese). You’d also need to use veggie broth instead of beef broth.

Can I Omit the Milk?

Yes, you can replace it with another liquid if desired. Keep in mind that the milk helps make the taco mac ultra creamy, so your pasta won’t turn out as thick without it.

Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (8)

Tips for Making Taco Mac and Cheese

  • If you don’t have elbow pasta on hand, you can use another short, sturdy pasta instead.
  • I prefer making this recipe with cheddar cheese, but another sharp cheese will work. Think: Monterrey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend.
  • This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
  • Pair it with a skinny keto margarita!

Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (9)

More Easy Pasta Dinners:

  • Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Mac, a lot like this recipe but loaded with bacon cheeseburger flavor!
  • One Pan Chili Mac, just as good as this Taco Mac!
  • Keto Tuna Casserole, with zucchini noodles instead of regular noodles.
  • Keto Taco Casserole, also with zucchini noodles instead of regular pasta.
  • , quick and easy!

Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (10)

Easy Taco Mac

Annie Holmes

This Taco Mac recipe is a one-pan, 30-minute meal packed with taco meat, noodles and cheese! Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

4.46 from 680 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course 30 Minutes or Less

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 445 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey or beef
  • 1 10 ounce can Ro-Tel, undrained
  • 1 cup broth chicken or beef broth
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 1 ounce package taco seasoning
  • 1 1/2 cup elbow noodles I use Barilla gluten free elbows
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey or ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any grease.

  • Add the undrained can of Ro-Tel, broth, milk, tomato sauce and taco seasoning.

  • Increase heat to medium high until the mixture begins to simmer.

  • Stir in noodles and reduce heat to low, cover and allow to cook for 15-20 minutes.

  • When noodles are tender, stir in shredded cheddar cheese.

Video

Notes

Cook time: I used Barilla gluten free elbows and my cooking time is exactly 18 minutes.

Ro-Tel: If you're not famliar with Ro-Tel, it's canned chopped tomatoes with green chilies.

This recipe yields 6 servings, approximately 1 1/2 cups per serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5 cupCalories: 445kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 34gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 503mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2g

Keyword taco mac, taco mac and cheese, taco mac recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Easy Taco Mac Recipe (One Pan & 30 Minutes!) - Maebells (2024)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 6073

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.