Taco Macaroni and Cheese, Please

If this pregnancy has me wanting one thing, it’s Mexican food- tacos, enchiladas, beans and rice…you name it, I want it in my belly.

My middle ‘o the night cravings led me to a fantastic recipe on the website, half hour meals.

I will preface this recipe by saying a few things. First, it’s probably not the best meal to prepare after a busy day at work (at least three pans are involved, multiple measuring cups, etc.); however, I think it makes a fabulous weekend meal, or a great dish for a potluck or party. If you prefer meatless dishes, the hamburger can easily be substituted for black beans, tofu, or any other meat substitute. For those looking for a healthier take on this dish, you could swap the full-fat ingredients (cheese, milk, and sour cream) for the low- or no-fat varieties, use whole wheat pasta, and add veggies (I added corn when I made this). The prep time for this dish is reported to be five minutes, the cook time, 15-minutes. It is intended to serve six; however, I halved the recipe and it fed two, with enough left over for at least three more servings.

Ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages, I present to you: Taco Macaroni and Cheese.

Ingredients

-1 lb macaroni or shell pasta (I used Penne Rigate)

-1 lb ground beef

-1 onion, chopped

-2 cloves Garlic, minced (I used a tablespoon of store-bought, minced garlic)

-1 packet taco seasoning (or 1 serving of homemade)

-1 cup Salsa

-1 8-oz pkg cream cheese, cut into chunks

-2 cups milk

-1/2 cup sour cream

-2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

2. Meanwhile, brown ground beef and sweat the onion together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the beef is completely cooked through, drain off excess fat, return to skillet, and add garlic. Cook and stir 30 seconds. Add taco seasoning and salsa and stir to combine; reduce heat to low.

3. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add cream cheese, milk, and sour cream and stir to combine. Cook until cream cheese is melted and mixture is thick and bubbling. Stir in shredded cheese.

4. Add cheese sauce and ground beef mixture to pasta and stir to combine. Top each serving with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Bon appetit!