Creamy Taco Mac
Comments(8)
I made this awhile ago… I’m not really sure why it’s taken me so long to write about it (outside of the usual laziness, of course). I guess it’s probably because I just wasn’t that impressed. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t BAD, it just wasn’t what I expected. This recipe, which I found at Sing for your Supper, certainly made its way around the food blogs earning rave reviews. Everyone commented on how it was exactly like Hamburger Helper… which led me to expect it to taste just like Hamburger Helper.
It didn’t. I think that’s why my main reaction was “Hmmm…” Maybe it tastes like a flavor of Hamburger Helper I don’t usually buy? I don’t know. I think if I made it again, with my flavor expectations firmly in check, I might like it a little more. Though, I tend to prefer my cream cheese in sugary baked goods, so that may be some of the issue as well.
In any case, it was easy and flavorful, so if you’d like to make it yourself, read on! I have my eye on another cheeseburger mac recipe that I think may be more of what I was after. In the meantime…
You’ll need: Ground beef, macaroni, taco seasoning, cream cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, salt and pepper.
Start out by cooking 8 oz of pasta according to the package directions. When the pasta is done, set aside 1 cup of the water you boiled it in before you drain it.
Next you are going to brown one pound of ground beef, drain off the fat, and return it to the pan.
Add 1 packet of taco seasoning mix (or 4 Tbsp if you are a rockstar that makes your own)
Add one can of petite diced tomatoes. Give it a quick stir to combine and then allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes.
Then you are going to add the cooked pasta that you set aside in the first step,
followed by the cup of pasta water that you reserved,
3 oz. of cream cheese,
and one cup of sour cream.
Stir until the cream cheese is melted, and then simmer the whole thing for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper, if you wish, and top with some shredded cheddar cheese.
Dish it up, and serve! You can also add a little more cheese to your bowl if you’d like. That’s what I did after I snapped this picture.
Creamy Taco Mac
Source: Sing for your Supper
1 lb. lean, ground beef
8 oz dry pasta + 1 cup reserved pasta water
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
4 Tbsp mild taco seasoning (one packet)
3 oz cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
salt & pepper
cheddar cheese
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta per directions. Reserve one cup of pasta water.
Over medium heat, brown ground beef and drain off fat. Add taco seasoning and diced tomatoes. Allow to simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Add cooked pasta, reserved water, cream cheese and sour cream. Give it a good stir until cheese is melted and incorporated. Simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt & pepper, as desired. Top off with cheddar cheese for extra cheesy goodness.
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That looks easy enough that I could make it and not mess it up
Looks hearty and satisfying, especially in the cold weather! Blessings, Catherine
This looks good, but like you, I bet I’d prefer a cheeseburger mac that is close to Hamburger Helper, without all the preservatives and garbage that comes with HH. If you find a good one please post it, my kids will be forever thankful!
I just saw this on recipebuzz (which is my site, not hiding that) and this looks great.
I’ve visited your site in the past and one comment – the pictures are great, just saw you took pix right down to the pyrex of water. What a great way to follow along.
RB
That looks so delicious and filling. OMG, I am so hungry now.
OMG this looks absolutely divine, I doubt mine will turn out this great, so yum!
:D
I just made this for dinner and it is soooo yummy. One of my new favs. I am pregnant and always craving something cheesey. This hits the spot. And I feel so much better about eating this than HH (even thought I do love HH) this has to be healthier.
[...] had this recipe bookmarked for a year, easy. I made something similar a few years ago, called Creamy Taco Mac, which I wasn’t crazy about. The cheeseburger macaroni I’m sharing today is really [...]