Put a twist on taco night with these Taco Mac and Cheese Bowls! Taco-seasoned meat lines tostada shells to create a savory base before being topped with mac and cheese, a mix of beans, and your favorite taco fixings; these bowls come together in less than 20 minutes—perfect for busy nights or fun family dinners!
The idea of mac and cheese taco bowls might seem a little crazy, but I promise you the flavors of all these ingredients come together and make mealtime magic.
Ingredients
- Meat protein—I like using ground turkey or ground beef, but you could use ground chicken, chopped chicken or even shredded pork. Leftover pulled pork would be delicious too!
- Taco seasoning mix—My favorite is Old El Paso Hot & Spicy, but original or mild are fine.
- Tostada shells—They usually come in a box of four and are perfectly sized for individual servings.
- Boxed mac and cheese—I’m nostalgic for the taste so I always use the standard blue box Kraft Mac & Cheese, but you can use your favorite variety or even leftover homemade mac and cheese.
- Beans—I use black beans and chili beans, but again, use your favorites. I warm these up before assembly.
- Taco fixings—Your choice of shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, taco sauce, tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream and cilantro.
How to Make Taco Mac and Cheese Bowls
Step 1: Cook ground meat. Add taco seasoning mix according to package directions. Meanwhile, prepare boxed mac and cheese according to package directions. Heat tostada shells in a 350-degree oven on a cookie sheet for a few minutes before assembly.
Step 2: Spoon the meat mixture into the bottom of the tostadas, dividing equally between the four shells.
Step 3: Spoon the prepared mac and cheese and warm beans into the shells on top of the meat mixture, dividing evenly.
Step 4: Add shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, taco sauce, diced tomatoes, jalapenos, and cilantro. Top with sour cream and taco sauce, as desired. There’s no wrong way to build taco mac and cheese bowls! Use what you love. Serve immediately!
Taco Mac and Cheese Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey may substitute ground beef, ground chicken, chopped chicken, or leftover pulled pork for variety
- 1 oz taco seasoning mix
- 4 tostada shells
- 1 box macaroni and cheese prepared as directed
- 15.5 oz can chili beans warmed
- 15.5 oz can black beans rinsed, drained, warmed
- Taco fixings of choice shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, taco sauce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, and cilantro (customize to your liking)
Instructions
- Cook the ground meat. Add taco seasoning mix and prepare according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook the boxed mac and cheese following package instructions, and heat the beans.
- Warm tostada shells on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for a few minutes before assembling.
- Spoon the meat mixture evenly into the bottom of the tostada shells. Add mac and cheese and warm beans on top of the meat mixture, dividing evenly between the shells.
- Top with your favorite taco fixings! Add shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, taco sauce, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro. Finish with a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of taco sauce, if desired. Serve immediately!
Leave a Reply