Cheesy Beef Taco Macaroni Casserole
Taco-seasoned beef and macaroni bake beneath tortilla chips, cheddar, and Monterey Jack.
On this page: Recipe card · Why you’ll love this recipe · Items needed · Ingredient notes · Tips for this recipe · Serving suggestions · Storage and make-ahead · Common questions
Why you’ll love this recipe
- The ingredient combination. Lean ground beef, dry macaroni and taco seasoning form the base of this pasta.
- A sauce-and-pasta combination. The method explains when to combine the noodles with the sauce so the texture stays in focus.
- A defined yield. The card makes 10 servings. Use its serving control to scale ingredient amounts, then reassess pan space and cooking time.
Items needed
Gather the tools for the method you plan to use. Alternate cooking methods may need different appliances.
- Baking dish
- Knife and cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Food thermometer
Ingredient notes
- Optional additions. The card marks sour cream as optional. Account for additions separately when tracking a portion.
- Prepare before you start. Measure lean ground beef, dry macaroni and taco seasoning and follow any slicing, chopping, rinsing, or thawing directions in the ingredient list.
- Packaged ingredients. Check labels for your dietary needs and use the products named in the card when matching its nutrition estimates. A brand change can also change salt, sweetness, or thickness.
Cheesy Beef Taco Macaroni Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the oven to 350°F. Cook macaroni until just tender and drain.
- Brown beef with onion, cooking the beef to 160°F. Stir in tomato soup, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, and pasta.
- Spread in a 9 × 13 inch baking dish. Top with crushed chips and both cheeses. Bake 30–35 minutes until hot throughout, reaching 165°F. Serve with scallions and optional sour cream.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Preferred products
Pasta: Banza or Kaizen plain pasta in a suitable shape. Follow that product’s cooking time; nutrition differs by brand. Kaizen contains lupin.
These are shopping options; the recipe’s estimated nutrition may use a different product. Substitutions change nutrition and may affect texture. Choosing one dairy-free or gluten-free ingredient does not make the whole recipe dairy-free or gluten-free. See Mel’s preferred products and photos.
Tips for this recipe
- Use the pasta shape and cooking stage described in the card. Different brands and shapes can absorb sauce at different rates.
- When scaling the recipe, increase ingredients together but keep the same doneness checks. A larger batch does not necessarily cook in the same time.
Serving suggestions
Toss or layer the pasta as directed, then divide the finished dish evenly. A simple vegetable side can be served separately.
Storage and make-ahead
Refrigerate perishable portions in shallow, covered containers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour above 90°F. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use cooked leftovers within 3–4 days. If reheating cooked leftovers, heat them to 165°F throughout.
Food-safety reference: USDA leftover-storage guidance.
Common questions
Can I scale the batch?
The serving control adjusts ingredient amounts. Use a pan or pot that fits the batch, and check texture and doneness again because a larger amount can cook differently.
What are the calories and macros per serving?
One serving provides an estimated 253 calories, 16.2 g protein, 27.9 g total carbohydrate, 8 g fat and 2.8 g fiber. One serving is 1/10 of the finished recipe.
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Find more ideas in the recipe collection and practical meal-planning help in Blog & Guides.
