American mac and cheese crossed the Rio Grande in 1994 when Taco Bell's test kitchen accidentally created fusion food.
Taco Mac And Cheese
Dive into a delicious bowl of Taco Mac and Cheese, where cheesy goodness meets zesty taco flavors! Packed with protein-rich ground turkey and creamy cheddar, this dish not only satisfies your cravings but also makes for a perfect make-ahead meal that you can freeze for quick, nutritious lunches all week long. Get ready to indulge in a comforting fusion that’s as easy to prepare as it is delightful to eat!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- 1/2 Cup Diced Onion (120 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 24oz Lean Ground Beef (96/4) (680 g)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(4)
- 1/2 Cup Fat Free Cheddar Cheese (120 ml)
- 1 1/2 Cups Cottage Cheese (0% Fat) (360 ml)
- 1 Mac And Cheese Powder Packet
- 1/2 Cup Fat Free Milk (120 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- 8oz Protein Pasta (Dry Weight) (227 g)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1 Taco Seasoning Packet
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- Light Ranch (Optional)optional
📦Other(1)
- Fresh Chives (Optional)optional
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Combine one and a half cups of cottage cheese, half a cup of fat-free cheddar, one packet of mac and cheese powder, and half a cup of fat-free milk in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- 2
In a pan, add 24 ounces of lean ground beef, half a cup of diced onions, and one taco seasoning packet. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- 3
In a bowl, combine the cooked protein pasta with the cheese sauce and cooked ground beef, mixing until fully combined.
- 4
Top with a drizzle of light ranch and fresh chives.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Blend the cottage cheese mixture for 60-90 seconds until completely smooth because cottage cheese curds will create grainy texture if not fully broken down by the blender blades.technique60-90 seconds
- ✓Cook ground beef to internal temperature of 160°F and drain fat before adding taco seasoning to prevent the seasoning from clumping in rendered fat.technique160°F
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water before draining because the starch content (2-3%) helps bind the cottage cheese sauce to the pasta and prevents separation.timing2-3% starch content
- ✓Let the blended cheese sauce rest for 2-3 minutes after blending so air bubbles dissipate and the cottage cheese proteins fully hydrate for smoother texture.timing2-3 minutes
- ✓Add the cheese sauce to pasta while both are still warm (140-160°F) because heat helps the cottage cheese proteins coat the pasta more effectively than cold mixing.technique140-160°F
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
American mac and cheese crossed the Rio Grande in 1994 when Taco Bell's test kitchen accidentally created fusion food.
Taco Mac And Cheese
Dive into a delicious bowl of Taco Mac and Cheese, where cheesy goodness meets zesty taco flavors! Packed with protein-rich ground turkey and creamy cheddar, this dish not only satisfies your cravings but also makes for a perfect make-ahead meal that you can freeze for quick, nutritious lunches all week long. Get ready to indulge in a comforting fusion that’s as easy to prepare as it is delightful to eat!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(1)
- 1/2 Cup Diced Onion (120 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 24oz Lean Ground Beef (96/4) (680 g)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(4)
- 1/2 Cup Fat Free Cheddar Cheese (120 ml)
- 1 1/2 Cups Cottage Cheese (0% Fat) (360 ml)
- 1 Mac And Cheese Powder Packet
- 1/2 Cup Fat Free Milk (120 ml)
🫙Pantry Staples(1)
- 8oz Protein Pasta (Dry Weight) (227 g)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(1)
- 1 Taco Seasoning Packet
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- Light Ranch (Optional)optional
📦Other(1)
- Fresh Chives (Optional)optional
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Combine one and a half cups of cottage cheese, half a cup of fat-free cheddar, one packet of mac and cheese powder, and half a cup of fat-free milk in a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- 2
In a pan, add 24 ounces of lean ground beef, half a cup of diced onions, and one taco seasoning packet. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- 3
In a bowl, combine the cooked protein pasta with the cheese sauce and cooked ground beef, mixing until fully combined.
- 4
Top with a drizzle of light ranch and fresh chives.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Blend the cottage cheese mixture for 60-90 seconds until completely smooth because cottage cheese curds will create grainy texture if not fully broken down by the blender blades.technique60-90 seconds
- ✓Cook ground beef to internal temperature of 160°F and drain fat before adding taco seasoning to prevent the seasoning from clumping in rendered fat.technique160°F
- ✓Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water before draining because the starch content (2-3%) helps bind the cottage cheese sauce to the pasta and prevents separation.timing2-3% starch content
- ✓Let the blended cheese sauce rest for 2-3 minutes after blending so air bubbles dissipate and the cottage cheese proteins fully hydrate for smoother texture.timing2-3 minutes
- ✓Add the cheese sauce to pasta while both are still warm (140-160°F) because heat helps the cottage cheese proteins coat the pasta more effectively than cold mixing.technique140-160°F