Baked Taco Mac and Cheese Casserole
Baked taco mac and cheese casserole is an easy, family-friendly dinner with a creamy sauce and big taco flavor. Add your favorite toppings and dig in!
Yield: 6 -8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb. macaroni or medium shells pasta
- 1 ¼ lb. ground turkey, I use 93% lean
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose
- 2 cups skim milk
- ¼ cup taco seasoning, divided
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Spray an 8x12 casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions then drain.
- Meanwhile, cook the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat, brewing up with a spatula as it cooks. Once the turkey is cooked through, season with 3 tablespoons of the taco seasoning and stir to combine.
- Once the pasta is cooked and drained, return the empty pot to the stove over medium heat and melt butter.
- Add the flour and whisk for about 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add the milk and whisk until a smooth sauce forms. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and 2 cups of the shredded cheese.
- Combine the pasta, ground turkey and sauce and mix well.
- Transfer the mac and cheese to the prepared casserole dish and smooth the top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and the crushed tortilla chips.
- Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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Notes
Topping ideas: Chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado or a dollop of guacamole, extra cheese or salsa, sliced black olives, sliced jalapeños, pickled red onions, etc.
Make ahead: The casserole can be made in advance, just leave off the tortilla chips. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator as the oven comes to temp. Add the tortilla chips and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes if needed to ensure the casserole is nice and hot.
Leftovers: Once cooled, leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot. The tortilla chips will soften, but it's still delicious.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 796kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 1314mg | Potassium: 666mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1798IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 548mg | Iron: 3mg
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