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Taco mac and cheese is an easy, protein-packed dinner using ground beef and a box of high-protein mac and cheese!
This taco-flavored mac and cheese has a protein-packed twist!
If Taco Tuesday and Mac & Cheese Monday had a baby, this delicious meal would be it—and guess what? It’s bringing the flavor, the fun, and a punch of protein to your weeknight dinner rotation.
Turning a pantry staple into a whole meal is smart and convenient! I’ve shared a few boxed mac and cheese dinners before, including a taco-inspired version—but we thought it would be fun to revisit the idea using a tried-and-true, high-protein brand like Goodies!
Let’s talk about Goodles for a second!
If you haven’t been formally introduced, Goodles is the mac and cheese brand that decided, “Hey, let’s not only make this creamy, dreamy comfort food taste amazing, but let’s also give it a nutritional glow-up.” Each serving has 14 grams of protein, which means you can dig in and still feel like a champion. Yes, please!
My family loves this brand. I once put on a fun boxed Mac and Cheese Taste Test and Goodles won the blind taste test compared to all the other brands, which was impressive!
High Protein Taco Mac and Cheese
yield: 6 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
cook time: 25 MINUTES
total time: 35 MINUTES
Taco seasoned ground meat, boxed mac and cheese, Ro-tel, beans, and corn, get combined for a delicious high protein meal.
Ingredients
- 2 boxes Goodles Mac & Cheese (Plus butter and milk)
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 a large onion, chopped
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- can Ro-tel tomatoes, drained
- 15 oz. can kidney beans, drained
- 1 cup frozen corn
Directions
1
Prepare two boxes of mac and cheese as directed on the box, and set aside.
2
To a large skillet, add the ground meat, brown it, and drain any grease. Add the chopped onion and saute a few minutes until soft.
3
Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water until coated. Add the Ro-tel, beans, and corn. Stir until warmed and combined. Add the prepared mac and cheese to the skillet and combine. Serve warm with any desired toppings such as sour cream, guacamole, or sliced green onions.
More tips for making this easy high high-protein mac and cheese meal:
- If you need a suggestion for taco seasoning, try this Kinders brand. It comes as individual packets, or I buy it in bulk at Costco. It’s our favorite and has a lively, smoky taste! You can also easily make your own using this homemade taco seasoning recipe.
- Taco Mac and Cheese reheats like a dream. Next-day leftovers? More like next-level delicious. You can also use this for meal prepping and add to individual food containers for the week.
We love this high-protein mac and cheese recipe!
This dish is a full-on flavor fiesta that satisfies cravings and gives you a little nutritional flex. Whether you’re feeding the fam or just treating yourself after a long day, this taco mac skillet is the ultimate comfort food. We enjoyed the leftovers and it meant I didn’t have to cook the next evening.
