The Weary Chef

Delicious recipes made easy for busy cooks!

  • Recipes
    • Healthy Meals
    • Recipe Roundups
    • Dinner
    • Desserts
    • Mexican Food
    • Appetizers and Snacks
    • Red Meat
    • Pasta and Noodles
    • Sandwiches and Pizza
  • Weekly Dinner Menus
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • About Rosie
    • Disclosures
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner / No Brainer Taco Macaroni

Dinner Pasta and Noodles

No Brainer Taco Macaroni

This Taco Macaroni is beyond easy for nights when you want to eat something tasty for dinner but are extra low on time and energy. It’s picky eater approved!

This simple recipe is just right when you need a VERY easy family-friendly dinner!


You know I usually make recipes mostly from scratch around here. Occasionally I might sneak in a can of soup or packet of seasoning mix, but I mostly stick to unprocessed ingredients. There are times though when we all need a family-friendly meal that is beyond easy. On those nights, there is no shame in grabbing that box of macaroni and cheese and calling it dinner.

This simple recipe is just right when you need a VERY easy family-friendly dinner!

Last week, in the span of ten days, my husband fell and broke his jaw and hand, my laptop died, and then my 3-year-old fell and hit HIS mouth on concrete requiring an emergency trip to the dentist. I am not even joking.

When you have a dark cloud hanging over your head, you just want to feed your family (and yourself!) something that everyone will happily eat that takes little effort. That’s how this super simple Taco Macaroni was born.

This simple recipe is just right when you need a VERY easy family-friendly dinner!

My 7-year-old is not great at trying new things. He’s had more mac and cheese out of a box than I’d care to admit, but it doesn’t usually have meat and taco seasoning mixed in. He does love taco meat, but I knew I might be pressing my luck by combining two dishes he likes into one. Not only did he eat it, he proclaimed that it was the best thing he ever had AND I’m the best cook in the world. While this is a little depressing that this is what he calls culinary genius, it does go to show that even the pickiest eaters will likely enjoy this one.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
This simple recipe is just right when you need a VERY easy family-friendly dinner!

No Brainer Taco Macaroni

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey 20 ounces is fine too
  • 1 oz. packet reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
  • 6 oz. box macaroni and cheese I used gluten free
  • 2 c. water
  • 2–3 tbsp. milk

Instructions

  1. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Add ground meat, and sprinkle taco seasoning over the top. Stir and cook until meat is heated through, crumbling it as much as possible.
  2. Stir in uncooked macaroni (not the cheese packet yet!) and 2 c. water. Bring to a simmer, and cook for the recommended time on the macaroni package. Most liquid should be absorbed at this point. If the pasta looks dry before cooking is complete, add about 1/4 c. water at a time as needed.
  3. Reduce heat to low, and stir in cheese packet and a little milk to your desired consistency. Turn off heat and serve.

Notes

This would also be great with a can of diced tomatoes (drained) or a cup of frozen peas added with the macaroni and water. I kept it simple so my kids would eat it!

  • Author: Andi Gleeson
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Category: Dinner, Pasta and Noodles
  • Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us โ€” we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

 You’ll also love these super duper easy dinner ideas!

Pizza Sliders - A fun dinner or perfect party food!
Pizza Sliders
7-Layer Tacos: Your favorite dip turned dinner! - wearychef.com
7-Layer Tacos

Related posts:

Cheesy Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
Lemon Butter Chicken with Asparagus
Quick Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
How to Make Italian Turkey Meatballs
One-Pot Green Chicken Burrito Bowls
Fork Tender Steaks with Green Beans and Gravy
Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf
Mediterranean Pita Pizzas
Baked Chicken Macaroni
Grilled Black Bean Burger Quesadillas
Saffron Rice Skillet with Sausage and Kale
Main Dish Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe with Chicken


41 Comments

« Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars
8 Pumpkin Drinks That Taste Like Fall »

Comments

  1. Martin Screlli says

    July 26, 2020 at 6:33 pm

    This has got to Kobe beef right?

    Reply
  2. Steph says

    June 4, 2020 at 8:32 pm

    I LOVE that you’ve called this ‘no brainer’. Honestly… I need more ‘no brainer’ recipes in my life! thankyou!

    Reply
  3. Lara Lyon says

    January 27, 2020 at 7:28 pm

    The picture looks like the original kraft mac and cheese. I used the thick and creamy version with the same results. I was worried about the taco seasoning, it got really thick while the noodles were cooking. But I added the juice from the drained can of tomatoes and green chiles and it turned out fantastic! My husband loves quick one skillet meals since he likes to spend the evening with me NOT being in the kitchen so much. He really likes this one! Thanks for posting this!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Subscribe to get the latest recipes!

Latest posts

  • Easy Mojito With Dark Rum Recipe
  • 12 Great Grilling Recipes for Hosting Your Own Backyard Grillathon!
  • Tender Cube Steak and Gravy Recipe
  • 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Ribs
  • Chinese Rice Noodle Soup with Shrimp

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 ยท Weary Chef
Recipes | Kitchen Guide
Write for Us | Disclosure & Privacy Policy | Contact