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    Home » Beef

    Cheesy Nacho Bake

    Published: Jan 25, 2023 by Kristin 8 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Who doesn’t love an easy Mac n Cheese recipe that is perfectly spiced and deliciously different? Cheesy Nacho Bake is the ultimate mac and cheese for Mexican food lovers. Loaded with taco seasoned ground beef, cheese, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, and pasta shells!

    a cheesy nacho dish with macaroni and cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, cheese, and more

    Nacho Mac and Cheese

    This Nacho Bake is hearty with salsa, sour cream and ground beef—all covered with a topping of cheesy crushed tortilla chips. It is especially a favorite with my kids because after all, what kid doesn’t love a cheesy pasta dish, right?
    Perfect for those busy weeknights, this shortcut dinner option can be ready to serve in under 30 minutes! Plus, you can add all your favorite toppings and truly make this your own. From adapting spice levels, toppings, and even seasonings, this is a must try recipe!

    Ingredients Needed for this Cheesy Nacho Bake:

    Full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post with ingredient amounts and directions

    • Velveeta Shells and Cheese Dinner
    • Ground Beef- or turkey
    • Homemade Taco Seasoning– 1 package taco seasoning
    • Sour Cream
    • Cheddar Cheese- shredded
    • Salsa
    • Tortilla Chips- crushed
    • Jalapenos- diced

    all the ingredients needed for cheesy nacho bake

    How to make Nacho Mac N’ Cheese

    1. Cook macaroni according to package directions.
    2. While macaroni is cooking, cook beef/turkey in a skillet until no longer pink.
    3. Add taco seasoning to the meat and mix well.
    4. Stir sour cream into the cooked/prepared macaroni.
    5. Spoon half the macaroni mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 8 baking dish.
    6. Top with meat mixture, half the cheddar cheese, and remaining macaroni mixture.
    7. Cover baking dish with tin foil and place in preheated oven, 400, to bake for 15 minutes.
    8. Remove cover from dish and sprinkle remaining cheese, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, and jalapenos (if using).
    9. Place dish back into oven for an additional 5-10 minutes. Remove and serve!

    crushed tortilla chips on top of taco seasoned beef and macaroni and cheese

    Topping Suggestions

    This tasty dish can be made with or without your favorite toppings, it will be delicious either way. Here are some fun ideas to try:

    • Diced Green Chiles
    • Black Olives
    • Diced Avocado
    • Tomatoes
    • Chopped Bell Peppers
    • Onions
    • Hot Sauce
    • Additional Salsa
    • Shredded Pepperjack Cheese
    • Chopped Green Onions

    macaroni and cheese combined with taco seasoned ground beef, cheese, tortilla chips, and salsa

    What to serve with Cheesy Nacho Bake

    This shortcut meal includes pasta and meat, so feel free to serve on its own. If you want to add a few sides, here are a few tasty options:

    • 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)

    a scoop of macaroni nacho casserole on a plate

    Storage

    This Nacho Bake is best enjoyed the day of! If you do have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave when ready to serve. Unfortunately, this does not freeze well as the pasta becomes mushy and the texture doesn’t maintain.

    FAQ’s

    Can I prep this ahead of time? Yes! I typically make this in the morning and simply pop into the oven come dinnertime. I don’t recommend making it the day beforehand however due to the creaminess and cheese absorbing into the pasta.

    Do I have to use Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese? I personally enjoy the Velveeta in this dish; however, you can also use Kraft Macaroni and Cheese or HOMEMADE Macaroni!

    How do I make this in a 9×13 baking pan? 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.

    Do I have to use beef in this recipe? You can use cooked, seasoned chicken in place of the ground beef if desired, it just changes the texture a bit! Same great flavor!

    macaroni nacho bake with cheesy velveeta macaroni

    More Cheesy Recipes to try

    Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole– made with rice, chicken breasts, cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, water, and seasonings. You will love this easy and delicious comfort food meal.

    Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti– makes a rich and creamy easy weeknight dinner. It comes together quickly and is total comfort food loved by everyone!

    The BEST Mac and Cheese Recipe– outrageously cheesy, ultra-creamy, and topped with a crunchy Panko-Parmesan topping, this mac and cheese recipe is most definitely a keeper.

    Baked Cheesy Tortellini– a quick and easy minimal ingredient dinner that you’ll love keeping in your back pocket for a busy night!

    macaroni and cheese combined with taco seasoned ground beef, cheese, tortilla chips, and salsa
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Nacho Mac N' Cheese Recipe

    With just 20 minutes of prep time and seven ingredients, this cheesy, taco-inspired mac and cheese is sure to become a new family favorite.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time14 mins
    Total Time24 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cheesy nacho bake, nacho bake, nacho mac n' cheese, nacho macaroni and cheese
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 535kcal
    Author: The Cookin' Chicks

    Equipment

    • 8x8 baking pan
    • Sauce Pan

    Ingredients

    • 12 oz Velveeta Shells and Cheese Dinner
    • 1 lb ground beef *or turkey
    • 3 tablespoon taco seasoning
    • 3/4 cup sour cream
    • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese *shredded
    • 3/4 cup salsa
    • 1/2 cup tortilla chips *crushed
    • toppings of choice (jalapenos, peppers, onions, etc)

    Instructions

    • Cook macaroni according to package directions.
    • While macaroni is cooking, cook beef/turkey in a skillet until no longer pink.
    • Add taco seasoning to the meat and mix well.
    • Stir sour cream into the cooked/prepared macaroni.
    • Spoon half the macaroni mixture into the bottom of an 8 x 8 baking dish.
    • Top with meat mixture, half the cheddar cheese, and remaining macaroni mixture.
    • Cover baking dish with tin foil and place in preheated oven, 400, to bake for 15 minutes.
    • Remove cover from dish and sprinkle remaining cheese, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, and jalapenos (if using).
    • Place dish back into oven for an additional 5-10 minutes. Serve!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 535kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 947mg | Potassium: 489mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 509IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 255mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @TheCookinChicks or tag #TheCookinChicks!

     

     

     

     

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    Welcome to The Cookin' Chicks…I am so glad you've stopped by! I am Kristin, a busy mom of 3, a wife, and a family chef! There are three things that motivate me each day - Family, Faith, and FOOD! I, along with the occasional help of friends and family, want to share my food creations with you! So, I invite you to join me around my dinner table through the recipes that I will share with you here. I hope you will enjoy the journey as much as I do!

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