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Nacho Mac and Cheese

Nacho Mac & Cheese is the ultimate mac and cheese for Mexican food lovers. It’s loaded with ground beef flavored with taco seasoning, 2 types of cheese (cheddar and pepper jack), jalapeno, onion, plus a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies.  

Nacho Mac and Cheese in a baking dish.

For a little crunch I added some crushed Doritos on top. It’s spicy and cheesy and makes a filling one dish meal.

There’s enough for leftovers or to serve several families. 🙂

If you like cilantro, sprinkle a little on top.

Msac and cheese with dorito topping in baking dish.

What Type Of Pasta To Use?

Elbow pasta is typically used for mac and cheese, but you don’t need to use it. Penne, cavatappi, wagon wheels, and shells all work well.

Nacho Mac and Cheese Recipe Tip

Only cook the pasta to al dente. That means it is still a little firm when you bite into it. It will cook more in the oven.

Spoon scooping Nacho Mac and Cheese.

Storage

This mac and cheese is best eaten right away. The Dorito topping does not keep all that well. You can refrigerate it in an airtight container for 3 days. The topping will be soggy, but the rest will be pretty tasty.

Make It Extra Spicy

If you want these recipe to be extra spicy, use “Hot” taco seasoning and “spicy” Rotel tomatoes.

Richman Dairy Farm Ohio

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a tour of dairy farms in Ohio with the American Dairy Association- Mideast. Note: Originally posted October 5, 2016.

Photo courtesy ADA-Mideast

We visited 2 farms, Richman Farms and Clardale Farms, to get and idea of how a small and large-sized dairy farm are run. We also visited Pearl Valley Cheese where we got to learn all about the cheese making process. I learned so much about how milk goes from farm to fridge!

Ohio Dairy Farms

And saw so many cows. Lots of cows!

Ohio Dairy Farm- Clardale Farms

Plus I got to try my hand at milking a cow. Not as easy as it looks.

Ohio Dairy Farm- ADA- Mideast

We learned that in terms of quality, safety, and nutrition, there’s no difference between organic and regular milk. ALL milk is tested for antibiotics and milk that tests positive for antibiotics is discarded. Non-organic farms are able to treat sick cows with antibiotics, but the milk does not enter the milk supply .

We also had the opportunity to attend an local elementary school to learn about their breakfast program, which of course includes milk. They have a very neat program that involves breakfast being served in the classroom instead of the cafeteria. We also got a chance to see their outdoor garden which was really quite impressive.

dairy-blog3

Photo courtesy ADA-Mideast

More Mac and Cheese Recipes

Watch the short video below to see how easy this recipe is to make.

Nacho Mac and Cheese

Nacho Mac & Cheese is the ultimate mac and cheese for Mexican food lovers. It's loaded with ground beef flavored with taco seasoning, 2 types of cheese (cheddar and pepper jack), jalapeno, onion, plus a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies.  
PREP: 20 minutes
COOK: 20 minutes
TOTAL: 40 minutes
SERVINGS: 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped
  • 1 (1.25-ounce) package taco seasoning , preferably low sodium
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
  • 2 cups shredded Pepper Jack cheese divided
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 (16-ounce) box macaroni cooked until al dente,
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed Nacho cheese Doritos
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro.

Instructions

  • Heat oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven. Add ground beef, onion, and jalapeno. Cook, breaking ground beef apart with a wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink.
  • Sprinkle taco seasoning over ground beef. Stir to combine.
  • Transfer ground beef mixture to a bowl and set aside.
  • Add butter to same Dutch oven and place over medium heat. Once butter is melted, sprinkle flour over butter and whisk together for 1 minute.
  • Gradually whisk in milk. Add can of Rotel. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Set aside 1/2 cup of Pepper Jack cheese and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Add remaining cheese to Dutch oven and remove pan from heat. Stir until cheese is melted.
  • Add meat mixture and stir to combine.
  • Add cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
  • Pour into a greased 11X8-inch pan. (A 13×9-inch will work too.)
  • Sprinkle the cheese that was set aside and the Doritos on top.
  • Place in a 350 degree oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: ground beef, mac and cheese

Want to Save This Recipe?

Thank you ADA for hosting me on such an amazing trip!

Originally posted October 5, 2016.

If you’re a Mac & Cheese Lover this Creamy Mac & Cheese is a must try!

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9 thoughts on “Nacho Mac and Cheese”

  1. This was one of the best mac and cheese recipes I’ve ever made! I used a large jalapeno (with seeds) and Rotel with Hatch chiles, which together made it very spicy. The Doritos were a great topping, better than the usual bread crumbs or panko. Definitely one I’ll be making again.

  2. I am wondering why this recipe couldn’t be prepared using tje dutch oven mentioned in the directions, using charcoal brques to finish it instead of in the oven ?

  3. This looks amazing, my husband and I love hot and spicy. I will definitely be making this!

  4. I can’t stay away from your page! I mean, how could I with a mac n cheese that looks like this! Cannot wait to make my kids’ (and my own) night with this cheesy concoction!

  5. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Sounds like you had a great trip, Christin! I loved seeing your pictures! And this mac ‘n cheese is calling my name. Looks SO good, especially with that zesty flavor!

  6. It is delicious, I love Mexican food, thic is creamy and chessy and seems filling. See it has butter, milk, cheesy, extremely creamy and lovely flavours. Good to see the cows in the farms you visited as well, nice to know milk that is quality and of good nutritive value comes to us weather it is from Organic or non-organic farms.

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