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Taco Ground Beef Mac and Cheese Final
Anneke Silva

Taco Ground Beef Mac and Cheese

5 from 8 votes
This delicious Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe is for all taco, ground beef or pasta lovers. It is the perfect meal for any dinner or lunch. This version of mac and cheese is even more flavourful with the addition of gourmet cheeses and deliciously spicy taco beef. The rich and flavourful Old Cheddar is beautifully complimented by the sharpness of the Pecorino.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 706
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Taco Beef
  • 1/2 tbsp Avocado oil
  • 1/2 lb Ground beef
  • 1/2 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1/8 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp Onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Paprika
  • 3/4 tsp Ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1/4 cup Water
Taco Ground Beef Mac and Cheese
  • 2 Large garlic cloves finely diced
  • 1/4 Red Onion diced
  • 1 tsp Avocado oil
  • 4 cups Aged Cheddar grated
  • 2 cup Pecorino Romano grated
  • 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp All purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups Milk 2 %
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan grated
  • 1 box Pasta (~500g)

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Heavy Bottomed Pan
  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Chef's Knife
  • Cutting Board

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 F.
Taco Beef
  1. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan on medium high.
    Heat the oil in your heavy bottomed pan on medium high.
  2. Add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks.
    Add the ground beef and break is up as it cooks.
  3. Cook for 12 minutes until browned and caramelized.
    Cook for 12 minutes until browned and caramelized.
  4. Add the spices to the beef.
    Add the spices to the beef.
  5. Add the water and mix.
    Add the water and mix.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for an additional 8 minutes.
    Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for an additional 8 minutes.
Taco Ground Beef Mac and Cheese
  1. Dice the garlic and onion and set aside.
    Dice the garlic and shallot and set aside.
  2. Grate the Pecorino, and Cheddar in a food processor.
    Grate the Gruyere, Pecorino, and Cheddar is a food processor.
  3. Add the diced onion and garlic to the pan with the ground beef, and cook for an additional 2 minutes then remove from the heat and set aside.
    Add the diced onion and garlic to the pan with the ground beef, and cook for an additional 2 minutes then remove from the heat and set aside.
  4. Add the butter to the hot pan and melt, 1 1/2 minutes.
    Add the butter to the hot pan and melt, 1 1/2 minutes.
  5. Add the flour and mix, cook 4 minutes until golden brown to form a roux.
    Add the flour and mix, cook 4 minutes until golden brown.
  6. Cook the pasta in a large pot filled with salted water for 4 minutes then drain, it will be very al dente.
  7. Add milk to the empty pasta pot and warm for 4 minutes.
  8. Start to slowly add the milk ladle by ladle to the flour and butter roux in the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
    Start to slowly add the milk ladle by ladle to the flour and butter roux in the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
  9. Add the grated cheese and melt, 3 minutes.
    Add the grated cheese and melt, 3 minutes.
  10. Add the pasta and taco beef and mix.
    Add the pasta and taco beef and mix.
  11. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the dish.
    Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the dish.
  12. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
    Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.