Taco Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

by Heidi on January 6, 2010

If you’re looking for a fun way to spice up Macaroni & Cheese… here’s a thrifty recipe you’re going to love!

I found this recipe in the $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook… have you ordered yours yet??

After speaking with my bloggy friend Erin {the author of this cookbook}, she was so glad to hear I’d be sharing the recipe with you right here!

I love this cookbook… and especially love that every recipe can be made for $5.00 or less!

Taco Macaroni & Cheese was a big hit at our home ~ now it’s your turn to put it to the test…

Taco Macaroni & Cheese…


What You’ll Need:

  • 1 16oz pkg. Elbow Macaroni
  • 1/2 lb. Ground Beef
  • 1/2 Onion, chopped
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
  • 1 6oz can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 12oz can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
  • 1/4 cup Milk
  • 1/2 tsp. Fresh Cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 – 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese {the original recipe calls for 1 cup, but we love cheese so I doubled this to two cups… and used spicy Habanero Cheese!}

What You’ll Do:

In a large pot, cook the macaroni according to the pasta package directions.

{I add in a pinch of salt and dash of olive oil when cooking pasta.}

Once cooked… drain, and set aside.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the chopped onion and crushed garlic.

Drain excess fat.

Return the ground beef and onion mixture to the skillet.

Add in Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, and Milk.

Stir in the Cilantro, Cayenne, and Ground Cumin.


Simmer approx. 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to form and the flavors to mingle.

Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and mix to combine.
Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the mixture while still warm in the skillet,
and allow cheese to melt…
This is a big recipe, so we eat half for our meal, and freeze the other half for later!

Enjoy… I know we sure did!

Find this and many more delicious recipes from The $5 Dinner Mom
in the $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook!

See Also:
More Tasty Recipes!

    Save Money ~ follow The Frugal Girls on Facebook & Twitter…. and sign up for Free Email Updates or Free RSS Updates!

    Like it? Share it!
    • email
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • StumbleUpon
    • Google Bookmarks
    • Digg
    • MySpace

    { 2 comments… read them below or add one }

    Super Amazing Savings January 6, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    Great recipes! Frugal too. I love using these types of ingredients. Nice staples to have on hand.

    Lydia January 7, 2010 at 9:09 am

    I'm bookmarking this one! Looks really yummy.

    Leave a Comment