Cheesy Taco Mince and Macaroni Bake

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An easy, cheesy pasta bake made from macaroni, beef mince, onion, garlic, tomato pasta, taco seasoning and grated cheese! Another mid-week winner.

A large pan of baked macaroni and cheese with a golden-brown cheesy top, garnished with fresh basil, sits on a wooden board with a serving spoon and a small bowl nearby.

If you love the flavour of tacos, and the convenience of a mid-week pasta bake, then this Cheesy Taco Mince and Macaroni Bake is the meal for you. Start by sautéing the carrot and celery until translucent. Brown the mince, add the taco seasoning and other sauce ingredients, then the cooked macaroni. Top with grated cheese and grill until golden! It couldn't be easier. For another winner winner one pot dinner, be sure to check out our One Pot Chicken and Pasta.

Ingredient notes:

Various ingredients on a countertop, including macaroni, beef mince, carrots, garlic, green onions, taco seasoning, pasta sauce, Colby cheese, and tomato paste.

Mince: This is another great recipe to use the mince I put in my trolley week after week. Feel free to use a combination of beef and pork mince if you like.
Pasta: Any short cut pasta can be used in this bake. Spirals, penne or bow ties will all work.
Taco sauce and seasoning: This is what gives the dish its unique flavour.

Note: Scroll to the recipe card for the ingredients, quantities and the full method.

Step by step instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan grill. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil. Cook the macaroni until just under packet instructions so it is al dente, then drain and set aside. Heat a large oven-proof frying pan over medium heat and add the oil. Add the carrot and spring onions and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes.

Ground beef, chopped carrots, celery, and onions cooking in a light-colored pan on a stovetop.

Ground beef cooking with chopped carrots and celery, topped with a dollop of minced garlic and lines of tomato paste.

Add the beef mince and cook for 5-10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until starting to brown. Add the garlic and tomato paste and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute.

Ground beef, diced vegetables, and a packet of taco seasoning are being cooked together in a pan.

A skillet filled with ground meat, tomato sauce, and vegetables cooking on a stovetop.

Pour in the boiling water and stir, then add the taco sauce or salsa. Stir to combine, simmer for a couple of minutes, season to taste, then remove from the heat. Add the cooked macaroni to the mince mixture and gently stir to combine. Stir through ½ cup of the grated cheese.

A pot of boiling pasta sits next to a pan of simmering meat and tomato sauce on a kitchen stove.

A large round pan on a stove contains pasta mixed with sauce, topped with a generous layer of shredded cheese, ready to be baked or melted.

Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top, then place under the hot grill for 5-10 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve with a side salad or green vegetables.

Large green pan filled with baked macaroni and cheese topped with browned cheese and fresh basil, with a spoon resting inside; set on a wooden surface.

Recipe FAQs:

Can I make this without an oven-proof frying pan?

If your frying pan is not oven-proof, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese and grilling.

Is taco mix spicy?

Before you add it to the pan, check the spice level of your taco seasoning, as some can be a little hot for kids. Or if you prefer it hotter - add some chilli flakes!

How can I bulk this recipe up?

To bulk this up, add a can of beans, corn or frozen peas when adding the taco sauce.

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Related Recipes:

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Cheesy Taco Mince and Macaroni Bake

Yield: Serves 6

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

An easy, cheesy pasta bake made from macaroni, beef mince, onion, garlic, tomato pasta, taco seasoning and grated cheese!

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Ingredients

500g macaroni
1 tsp oil
1 carrot, finely diced
2 spring onions, finely chopped
500g lean beef mince
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 x 35g packet taco seasoning
1 cup boiling water
250g taco sauce or tomato salsa
200g cheese, grated

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan grill. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil. Cook the macaroni until just under packet instructions so it is al dente, then drain and set aside.
Heat a large oven-proof frying pan over medium heat and add the oil. Add the carrot and spring onions and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes.
Add the beef mince and cook for 5-10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks, until starting to brown.
Add the garlic and tomato paste and stir to combine. Sprinkle over the taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute.
Pour in the boiling water and stir, then add the taco sauce or salsa. Stir to combine, simmer for a couple of minutes, season to taste, then remove from the heat.
Add the cooked macaroni to the mince mixture and gently stir to combine. Stir through ½ cup of the grated cheese.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top, then place under the hot grill for 5-10 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Serve with a side salad or green vegetables.

Notes

To bulk this up, add a can of beans, corn or frozen peas when adding the taco sauce.
Check the spice level of your taco seasoning, as some can be a little hot for kids.
If your frying pan is not oven-proof, transfer the mixture to a baking dish before adding the cheese and grilling.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 488Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 667mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 37g

Nutritional values are approximate. Please use your own calculations if you require a special diet.

Thank you for checking out this recipe. I hope you enjoy making and eating it! If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
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Vanya