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A green bowl of penne pasta topped with taco cheese sauce and a sprig of thyme.
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Easy Taco Mac n'Cheese

A spicy twist to a classic Mac n' Cheese
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Keyword: Cheese, pasta, taco
Servings: 4 portions

Ingredients

  • 300 g pasta

Base:

  • 40 grams butter
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 300 ml milk
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • A pinch of pepper
  • 200 gram medium cheddar cheese
  • 100 ml pasta water optional

Taco seasoning

  • 1 tbsp taco spice mix Try my mix

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Save some of the pasta water for the end, if you desire a more saucy sauce.
  • Melt butter in a sauce pan.
  • Add the flour and stir until grainy and cooked through.
  • Peel and mince the garlic and add to the sauce pan.
  • Let cook for about a minute, make sure you don’t burn the garlic.
  • Add the milk and whisk vigorously to avoid lumps.
  • Add salt, pepper and taco spice mix. Let cook together. Be careful so it doesn’t boil over.
  • Cook until sauce has thickened, about five minutes.
  • Add the shredded cheese and keep stirring until the cheese is melted. If the sauce seems too thick, add some of the pasta water and stir again.
  • Serve in a bowl over pasta and sprinkle more shredded cheese on top, if desire.

Notes

Try my taco seasoning mix. Easily put together and last for months in an airtight container.