Taco Mac Ranch Recipes

TACO MACARONI

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. , Stir in the tomatoes, soup, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until thickened., Drain macaroni; stir into meat mixture and heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

EASY TACO MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Add salsa, corn, and taco seasoning. Season meat sauce with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in pasta and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.
• Combine the meat sauce, pasta, Colby-Jack cheese, and green onions in a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese on top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 25 minutes.

TACO MAC

Steps:

• Prepare shells and cheese mix according to package directions. Stir in sausage, taco sauce and seasoning; cook and stir until heated through. Top with lettuce, tomatoes and, if desired, cheddar cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled pasta mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little milk if necessary. Garnish as directed.

TACO MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place a large saute pan over high heat, add the ground beef and taco seasoning, reserving 1 tablespoon of the mix for the Perfect Cheese Sauce. Mix thoroughly. Cook, stirring often using a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small crumbles. Continue cooking until the meat releases its liquid, and then cook further until all the liquid has evaporated and the meat begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Combine the Perfect Cheese Sauce and cooked pasta in a large bowl. Pour in the cooked meat and stir to combine. Pour into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Level the pasta with the back of a spoon or spatula. Scatter the grated Cheddar over the pasta. Bake until browned and bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
• Immediately before serving, scatter the sour cream, lettuce and fresh tomato over the mac 'n' cheese.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
• Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
• Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.