Beef Taco Macaroni and Cheese
This hearty, one-pan Beef Taco Macaroni and Cheese is proper comfort food with a fun Tex‑Mex vibe. It’s quick, cosy and all comes together in one pan, making it perfect for busy weeknights or feeding a hungry crowd. Scoop it straight from the pan and load it up with guac, fresh salsa and crunchy chips for an easy, feel‑good dinner everyone will love.
How long will it take?
30 minutes
What’s the serving size?
4
What do I need?
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 brown onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 500 g beef mince
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning (or ground cumin, paprika and chilli powder)
- 1 red capsicum, finely diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g tin crushed tomatoes
- 250 mL beef stock
- 250 g macaroni
- 150 mL pouring cream
- 150 g grated cheddar cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2–3 spring onions, thinly sliced
To serve
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo (tomato, onion, coriander and lime)
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh coriander leaves
How do I make it?
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy‑based frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned all over. Sprinkle over taco seasoning and stir well to coat the meat.
- Add diced capsicum and cook for 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes and beef stock. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir macaroni directly into the sauce, making sure it is mostly submerged. Cover and simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir through cream, then add grated cheese and mix until melted and glossy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and scatter over spring onions. Serve hot with guacamole, pico de gallo and tortilla chips on the side.
TOP TIPS
• One‑pot win: If the sauce thickens too quickly, add a splash of water or stock while the pasta cooks.
• Extra kick: Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of chilli sauce with the seasoning.
• Cheese swap: Tasty cheddar works well, but a mix of cheddar and mozzarella gives extra stretch.
• Leftovers: This reheats well—add a spoonful of milk or water before microwaving to loosen the sauce.
