Description
This Taco Macaroni and Cheese is a flavorful fusion dish combining classic creamy macaroni and cheese with spicy taco-seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and a crunchy Doritos topping. Perfect for a crowd, it serves 8 and offers a satisfying blend of cheesy, spicy, and crunchy textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ¾ cup water
- 1 (1-oz) package taco seasoning
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 (15-oz) jar salsa con queso
- â…“ cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz campanelle pasta
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (sharp recommended)
Topping
- 1½ cups crushed Doritos
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the campanelle pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Ground Beef and Season: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until no longer pink. Drain excess grease. Add taco seasoning, water, and the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors, then remove from heat.
- Combine Sauce and Pasta: Stir the jar of salsa con queso, heavy cream, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder into the skillet. Mix thoroughly. Add the cooked pasta and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, mixing everything evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake and Add Topping: Bake the casserole for 20 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. Remove from oven, sprinkle crushed Doritos evenly on top, then bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to let the topping crisp and the casserole remain hot.
Notes
- You can substitute campanelle pasta with elbow macaroni or shells if needed.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Use reduced-fat cheese and cream to lower calories if desired.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- Crushed Doritos add a unique texture—try different flavors like Nacho Cheese or Spicy Sweet Chili depending on your preference.
