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Nacho Beef And Macaroni

Bring the heat to meal time with this Nacho Beef and Macaroni recipe. This casserole is filled with both vibrant colors and South of the border flavors for a family pleasing meal that won’t break the bank.

Nacho Beef And Macaroni

Easy Nacho Beef and Macaroni Recipe

Casseroles like this Mexican inspired nacho beef and macaroni are on our menu all year-round. I tend to gravitate to them most often on busy weekdays, when I can put them together ahead of time; then sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, cheese, or in this case crushed Doritos, just before baking. Easy ground beef recipes such as Beef and Noodles, Barbecue Beef and Tater Tot Casserole and Busy Day Lasagna always bring the family to the table in a hurry. How to make Nacho Beef Macaroni Casserole: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Macaroni – Cook the macaroni in salted water per package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  • Beef – In a large dutch oven or pot, cook beef, onion and peppers over medium-high heat in a couple of drizzles of olive oil. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Cook until beef is browned and no pink remains. Drain excess fat from pan.
  • Seasonings – Add taco seasoning, cilantro and Mexican oregano. Mix well.
  • Sauce – To the pot add canned soup, tomatoes, milk, cooked macaroni and 1 cup shredded cheese. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. Mix to combine.
  • Pour the mixture into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and crushed tortilla chips.
  • Bake – Bake in a preheated 350°F oven per the recipe until golden and bubbly.
  • Serve – Garnish with additional cilantro and serve topped with your favorite taco fixings.
Nacho Beef And Macaroni ingredients in a dutch oven

How to Make the Best Nacho Beef and Macaroni Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Nacho Beef and Macaroni: Elbow macaroni, ground beef, Rotel Chili Fixins tomatoes, diced onion, diced poblano or green bell pepper, red bell pepper, garlic, olive oil, garlic salt and lemon pepper (or black pepper), fiesta nacho cheese and cheddar cheese soup, milk, shredded colby jack cheese, one packet of taco seasoning, crushed nacho flavored Doritos, Mexican oregano and cilantro.
  • Kitchen tools you’ll need: A large deep skillet or Dutch oven, sharp knife and cutting board, cheese grater, 13 x 9 inch baking dish, measuring cups and spoons and a large spoon for mixing everything together.
  • The diced Rotel tomatoes used in this recipe are already seasoned for making chili. If you’re unable to find that particular kind, the seasonings will need to be adjusted to accommodate. For example, you may want to add additional cumin or chili powder depending on the brand of taco seasoning that you choose to use.
  • When beginning the preparation of this Nacho Beef and Macaroni casserole using a large pot, it can then double as the mixing bowl.
  • This entire casserole can be assembled several hours or one day in advance and chilled in the refrigerator. Allow it to sit on the counter for 15-20 minutes or so prior to baking to allow the ingredients to come to room temperature. You may also need to extend the bake time by a few minutes.
  • You can use an alternate flavor of shredded cheese or different flavor of Doritos for this dish.
  • Store baked Nacho Beef and Macaroni chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in single servings in the microwave.
Nacho Beef And Macaroni

Serving Suggestions for Nacho Beef and Macaroni

Casseroles stretch ingredients and if you’re feeding a crowd, this kicked-up beefy casserole will go a long way. I usually serve it with a simple Wedge Salad or a Mexican Street Corn Salad and Cornbread Muffins. Top with your favorite nacho toppings such as a dollop of sour cream, black olives, pico de gallo or salsa. Any of your favorite taco toppings will work. It’s filled the with South-of- the-border flavors that always satisfy.

baked beef and macaroni

More Easy Casserole Recipes to Make

Nacho Beef And Macaroni

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Nacho Beef And Macaroni

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Beef, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Keyword: nacho-beef-casserole, nacho-beef-macaroni
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 433kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 5 cups cooked elbow macaroni [about 10 ounces dry]
  • 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 medium red pepper diced
  • 1 medium poblano pepper diced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper or black pepper
  • 1 10 3/4 oz can fiesta nacho cheese soup
  • 1 10 3/4 oz can cheddar cheese soup (or 1 cup cheese whiz)
  • 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies i.e. Rotel Chili Fixins'
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups shredded colby-jack cheese divided use
  • 1 cup crushed nacho flavored tortilla chips
  • 1 1.0 oz packet taco seasoning
  • 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro divided
  • 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano
  • Assorted Toppings: sour cream, salsa, black olives, green onions, pico de gallo

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Cook the macaroni in salted water per package directions until al dente. Drain well Set aside.
  • In a large dutch oven or pot, cook beef, onion and peppers over medium-high heat in a couple of drizzles of olive oil. Season with garlic salt and pepper. Cook until no pink remains.
  • Drain excess fat from pan, add taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons cilantro and Mexican oregano. Mix to combine. (Reserve 1 tablespoon cilantro for garnishing.)
  • To the pot add canned soup, tomatoes, milk, cooked macaroni and 1 cup shredded cheese. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper to your taste. Mix well.
  • Pour into baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and crushed tortilla chips and the remaining shredded cheese.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve topped with your favorite taco fixings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 937mg | Potassium: 379mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 616IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

 

12 Comments

  1. If I use the package of taco seasoning….do I still add the cumin, chili powder and the rest of the ingredients?

    1. There’s no need to unless you’d like to adjust the heat. Add chili to your taste in that instance. Taste and make it to your preference.

  2. Hi Debra, I’m delighted you’re enjoying my recipes. No cookbook in print just yet, stay tuned on that. Thanks for such a sweet note, I really appreciate it.

  3. Thanks for this great recipe, Melissa! I will be making this for supper tonight and I am positive it will be a hit. It reminds me of another recipe my family enjoys called Taco Bake. For that recipe you use crescent rolls and Doritos on the bottom and top. Melissa, I love your blog and your recipes. Everything that I have tried turns out great! I was wondering, do you have a cookbook too? Thanks again,Debra.

  4. This sounds sooooo good! Jsut one queation…..can I leave out the cilantro or is there something I can substitute for it?? Not a fan of cilantro! lol!

  5. I am definatley going to make this for dinner this week. I have to work alot of late hours so it will be easy for my husband to just put in the oven for the family when he gets home. Thank you!

  6. Hi Carla, it’s perfect for make ahead meals. Just top and bake. I hope they love it as much as my family does. 🙂 Thanks for your visit, Melissa

  7. Hi Mr. Pete, welcome! I know what a challenge it is to cook for a family, I sure hope you love it. Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit! ~ Melissa

  8. What a beautiful blog, both colors and yummy recipes! This one will definitely be a hit at my house, as my children love anything with pasta and cheese. It looks so easy too! Thanks for sharing!

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