Who doesn't love an easy mac and cheese recipe that's perfectly spiced and deliciously different? This Cheesy Nacho Bake recipe is a mash-up of comfort food and Mexican night rolled into one! Loaded with taco-seasoned ground beef, pasta shells, creamy cheese, salsa, and crunchy tortilla chips, it's the ultimate nacho casserole for busy weeknights.
This hearty nacho bake with ground beef is topped with crushed tortilla chips and gooey melted cheese, then finished with salsa and sour cream for that bold Tex-Mex flavor. My kids love it (and let's be honest, anything covered in cheese and chips is a guaranteed win at my house).
The best part? This easy nacho bake comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option. You can also customize it with your favorite toppings- jalapeños, black beans, corn, avocado, you name it-for a flavor-packed Mexican casserole recipe that never gets boring.
Ingredient Notes
Here's a quick look at what you'll need for this Velveeta Nacho Bake recipe. Full measurements are in the printable recipe card below!
- Velveeta Shells and Cheese Dinner
- Ground Beef- or ground turkey
- Taco Seasoning– store-bought or homemade
- Sour Cream
- Cheddar Cheese- shredded
- Salsa
- Tortilla Chips- crushed
- Jalapenos- diced, optional but adds a little kick
How to Make This Cheesy Nacho Bake
Step 1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. While pasta cooks, brown beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat. Drain if needed.
Step 2. Stir in taco seasoning until meat is well coated.
Step 3. Mix sour cream into the cooked pasta.
Step 4. Spread half the pasta mixture in an 8×8 baking dish.
Step 5. Layer on the taco meat, half the cheddar cheese, and the rest of the pasta mixture. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes.
Step 6. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, and jalapeños. Bake another 5-10 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve warm!
Topping Suggestions
This beef nacho casserole is tasty as-is, but toppings make it extra fun. Try:
- Black Beans
- Diced Tomatoes
- Diced Avocado
- Black Olives
- Bell Peppers
- Corn
- Extra Salsa
- Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
- Chopped Green Onions
- Hot Sauce
What to Serve with Nacho Bake
This taco pasta bake already has pasta and protein, but if you want to round out the meal, serve it with:
- BEST EVER Refried Beans
- Instant Pot Mexican Rice
- Easy Instant Pot Refried Beans
- Restaurant Style Mexican Rice
- Side Salad (I grab a salad kit from the store to keep things simple, try the Avocado Ranch Salad with this meal, its yummy)
Storage
This nacho bake recipe tastes best the day you make it, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave before serving. (I don't recommend freezing-pasta gets mushy and loses that nacho crunch.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Assemble in the morning and bake at dinner. Just don't prep a day ahead- the pasta will soak up too much of the creamy sauce.
Nope! Velveeta Shells & Cheese is my go-to, but you can swap in Kraft Mac & Cheese or even HOMEMADE Macaroni!
Use the 24 oz Velveeta Mac and Cheese in place of the 12 oz. You can double the rest of the ingredients as well and make as directed below.
Yes- seasoned shredded chicken or ground chicken works well. It'll just change the texture slightly, but still delicious!
More Cheesy Recipes to Try
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Easy Cheesy Nacho Bake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz Velveeta Shells and Cheese Dinner
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- ¾ cup salsa
- ½ cup tortilla chips crushed
- toppings of choice (jalapenos, peppers, black beans, onions, etc)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions.
- While pasta cooks, brown beef or turkey in a skillet until no longer pink. Drain if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning and mix well.
- Add sour cream to the cooked pasta and stir until creamy.
- Spread half the pasta mixture in an 8×8 baking dish.
- Layer with meat, half the cheddar cheese, and remaining pasta.
- Cover with foil and bake at 400°F for 15 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, and jalapeños.
- Bake another 5-10 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve warm!
Notes
- Swap ground beef with shredded chicken for a different twist.
- Make it spicier with diced green chilies or pepper jack cheese.
- Double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan for a crowd-pleasing beef nacho casserole.
Nutrition
Trudy Hurd says
Need some new favorites–dinner has gotten so boring!!
Kristin says
Hope you enjoy this!!!! 🙂