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One Pan Cheesy Taco Mac Skillet

This One Pan Cheesy Taco Mac Skillet is an easy 30-minute dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, Rotel, tomato sauce, and plenty of melted Colby Jack cheese. Everything cooks in one skillet for a quick, cheesy family meal.
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Total Time 30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex Inspired
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Mixture
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
Pasta
  • 2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 10-ounce can Rotel undrained
  • 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
To Finish
  • 2 cups Colby Jack cheese shredded
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • fresh cilantro chopped, for topping

Equipment

  • Large Skillet with Lid
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion.
  2. Season with salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and dried cilantro.
  3. Cook, breaking the beef into crumbles, until the meat is browned and no longer pink and the onion has softened.
  4. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
  5. Add the minced garlic, uncooked elbow macaroni, chicken broth, undrained Rotel, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine.
  6. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  7. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and cook for about 12 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender. Stir once halfway through cooking to prevent sticking.
  8. Stir in the shredded Colby Jack cheese and milk until evenly combined.
  9. Let the skillet sit for about 1 minute so the cheese melts completely into the pasta.
  10. Top with chopped fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk when reheating because the pasta will absorb some of the sauce.
Ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef.
Serve with tortilla chips on the side for extra crunch.
The recipe is described as a 30-minute meal, so total time is set to 30 minutes. Separate prep and cook times were not provided.