This Taco Bake is perfect for big families or if you need lots of leftovers. We are the latter, and can eat on this for 4 days!! 4!!

It’s a simple dish to bake that uses easy to find ingredients, that’s a win in my book! This meal can be easily adapted to your preference and is well loved by kids and adults alike. My 11 month old even approves! 👶🏻

So what do I need to make the Taco Bake?

• a box of macaroni noodles
• unsalted butter
• a pound of ground beef
• a can of black beans
• a can of mild Rotel
• taco seasoning
• a can of enchilada sauce
• cheddar cheese
• pepper jack cheese
• cream cheese (all the cheese 🥰)

How to make it your own:

• spice it up by switching out the mild Rotel for original or spicy
• add a 1/4 cup medium green chiles for an extra kick and that green chile flavor that I can’t get enough of
• Top your serving with avocado for extra healthy fats
• Or top with extra cheese
• Swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner option
• Swap black beans for pinto beans if you really want to (or are out of black beans), although this is my least favorite swap as you know I love my black beans 🤪
• Use a different type of pasta

Print Recipe

Taco Bake

It's everything you love in a taco, all together in one delicious casserole-style dish.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time50 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 6 people

Cost: $10

Ingredients

• 1 pound box macaroni noodles
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 can enchilada sauce
• 1 pound ground beef 93% lean
• 1 can black beans no salt added, drained and rinsed
• 1 can mild Rotel
• 1 1/2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning 1 serving
• 3 oz cream cheese cubed
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350
• Boil noodles as indicated on package. Save 1/4 cup pasta water. Drain and return to pot.
• Add pasta water, butter, and enchilada sauce to the noodles and stir together.
• While noodles are boiling, brown ground beef and then drain grease.
• Add black beans (drained and rinsed), Rotel, and taco seasoning to the ground beef and let cook on low for 5 minutes.
• Add cream cheese to the ground beef mixture and cook on low until cheese is melted.
• Combine the noodles and ground beef mixture in a baking dish (I love my Pyrex bake and store for this).
• Mix the two together and then top with cheddar and pepper jack cheeses.
• Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.
• Serve topped with avocado slices and chipotle chili pepper for added spice!