We have really been diving deep into the world of macaroni and cheese. We have made a traditional mac and cheese, looked at the history of the product, and made a gouda themed mac. The next few posts will be dedicated to variation recipes. I want push my taste buds a bit beyond the traditional recipe. Today, I am going to make a macaroni and cheese recipe that would make twelve-year-old me proud. I am going to try and find some serious comfort food and rich tastes in a Beefy Taco Mac and Cheese. Go straight to recipe
The Tastebuds of My Memory
In the exploration of this topic, one thing that keeps on coming back to me is Hamburger Helper. As a young adult, Hamburger Helper was like a food group. Somewhere in adulthood, I realized that I can make similar dishes that are way tastier and not that much more expensive. And yes, within the past 5 years, I have bought one just to see if I still liked it. The memory of flavor, for me, is pretty powerful. Did I like Hamburger Helper as a grown up in a grown-up kitchen? Not really. Still, the memory of those flavors stick with me. Our Beefy Taco Mac and Cheese is an attempt to capture some of those flavor memories in a much more tasty way.
While a person could adapt the recipe below to also cook it in the oven, I am going to keep this a skillet meal. This is the way I remember it, so this is the way I am going to cook it. Enjoy the Beefy Taco Mac and Cheese recipe and pin this recipe now.
Beefy Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe
Beefy Taco Mac and Cheese
Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 pound hamburger
- 1 taco seasoning
- 2 cups dry macaroni
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cups whole milk
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed nacho chips
Instructions
Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning as directed on package in large skillet
Set ground beef aside
While ground beef is cooking, cook macaroni as directed on package
Also while ground beef is cooking, in a large saucepan melt butter on low.
When butter is fully melted, slowly start sprinkling flour in the pan and continuously mix. The idea is that the mixture of flour and butter will form almost a paste.
Pour in just a little of the milk and whisk until smooth. Keep on repeating until all milk is blended in.
Turn heat to medium-high and continuously stir. We want to get the sauce just to boiling and thicken.
When the sauce starts to heat up, you will notice it start to thicken. Just continue to stir and once boiling, continue stirring for one minute.
Remove from direct heat and slowly add 2 cups of the cheese to the bechamel while stirring.
Once this is a smooth sauce, add cheese sauce and macaroni to large skillet with ground beef and mix.
Serve and add crushed nacho chips to top.
22 Comments
Karly
November 6, 2017 at 8:52 pmHello, deliciousness. This recipe is like a love child of my two absolute favorites! NEEED to try ASAP!
Robert Erman
November 7, 2017 at 12:44 amVery fond of this recipe. I’ve practiced it at home. It feels very good.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
November 7, 2017 at 9:10 amYummy. That looks fabulous! I too wasn’t a fan of hamburger helper when I was younger! This dish looks tasty and super easy! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
November 7, 2017 at 9:57 amI wish I’d known you when you were 12. This looks heavenly.
Lauren
November 7, 2017 at 10:55 amThis is exactly the kind of meal that I want at the end of the day. Looks amazing!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
November 7, 2017 at 11:02 amChips on top of pasta? You’re speaking my language! This looks amazing!
Sandi
November 7, 2017 at 11:30 amMy kids would be all over me to make this for dinner
Beth
November 7, 2017 at 11:44 amI used to love Hamburger Helper! Haven’t made it years! What a great idea! My kids will love this one!!
Tatiana
November 7, 2017 at 11:48 amMy husband will love me more when i will cook this for him tomorrow!
Sarah
November 7, 2017 at 5:03 pmI love mac and cheese… SO MUCH! This version sounds fabulous.. I love that you added tortilla chips. More carbs!! YUMMM! Lol
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
November 8, 2017 at 8:20 amThis looks SO good! Way better than Hamburger Helper for sure. I always laugh when I think of that stuff because back in college I thought it would work to just omit the beef to make a vegetarian version (and to save $ on buying meat) and it DID.NOT.WORK. Not one bit. ACK! Haaha!
Anne Murphy
November 8, 2017 at 11:25 amOh, I like the crunch in that! I also like your careful description of making a roux – you make it sound as easy as, well, as it is… and so often people are afraid of it!
Analida Braeger
November 9, 2017 at 6:25 amTacos with mac and cheese! Those are two great combinations for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Carrie @ Carrie’s Home Cooking
November 9, 2017 at 3:44 pmWhat. Husband pleasing dish. Two perfect foods combined in one dish! I am trying this for dinner tomorrow night! Pinned!
Jen Sharpin | So Damn Delish
November 10, 2017 at 7:48 amYou had me at beefy taco…then you threw in the mac and cheese. I’m sold. Totally making this!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
November 10, 2017 at 9:05 amI just showed my husband this recipe and he asked me why I’ve never made mac and cheese like this before! haha I guess I know what I’ll be doing next time 🙂
Jeff
November 10, 2017 at 6:21 pmNice and simple. Looks perfect!
Amanda Mason
November 11, 2017 at 9:37 amSuch a simple recipe…I love it! My kids will love this one! Printing this off for a good weeknight meal!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices
November 12, 2017 at 9:57 amSuch a fun recipe! I have never had Hamburger helper, so I have no idea what it tastes like, plus I’m vegetarian 😉 , but It sounds and looks like an absolute comfort food!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
November 12, 2017 at 5:44 pmWhat a great dish for kids and the rest of the family. It’s something you can whip up together and everyone is happy. This is so much better than grabbing some fast food. Great family recipe.
Tatiana
November 12, 2017 at 11:19 pmNever tried this combination before in my life but i can really see myself making this on a weekend!
Sabine
December 7, 2017 at 11:13 amBen, you kill me! I would love to dig into this pan right now. Lucky me, that I found this recipe just in time for Friday night dinner snacking time with my husband. Great recipe!