Easy Taco Shells & Cheese Recipe: A Zesty Family Favorite

Taco shells & cheese revolutionize ordinary weeknight dinners into a flavor-packed adventure that sparks culinary excitement.

Crafted with zesty seasonings and creamy textures, this fusion dish blends comfort food with southwest-inspired boldness.

Melted cheese creates a luxurious backdrop for crispy taco shells, promising a sensory experience that delights taste buds.

Bold spices dance across each bite, offering a playful twist on classic mac and cheese traditions.

Simple ingredients come together seamlessly, making this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

The combination delivers a satisfying meal that bridges familiar tastes with unexpected culinary creativity.

Each forkful promises a perfect balance of crunch, warmth, and robust flavors.

Why This Cheesy Taco Shell Dish Hits the Spot

• Revolutionize Comfort Food: This recipe transforms classic mac and cheese into a taco-inspired delight, blending familiar flavors with exciting Mexican-style seasoning for a unique twist on a beloved comfort dish.
• Quick and Customizable Weeknight Winner: Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan meal offers incredible flexibility for busy families, allowing easy ingredient swaps and personalized toppings to suit different taste preferences.
• Protein-Packed Flavor Explosion: Ground beef combined with complex spice blend creates a hearty, protein-rich meal that delivers bold, zesty flavors while maintaining the creamy, cheesy texture everyone loves in a mac and cheese classic.
• Simple Cooking Technique Magic: The recipe showcases professional cooking techniques like creating a smooth cheese sauce, perfectly browning ground beef, and using sodium citrate for ultra-creamy texture, making gourmet cooking accessible to home chefs.

Everything Inside These Taco Shells & Cheese

• Pasta Shells: Classic pasta shape perfect for holding cheese sauce, choose medium-sized shells for best texture.
• Ground Beef: Lean protein that adds rich flavor, preferably 80/20 blend for optimal moisture and taste.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that provides bold, creamy flavor, select high-quality block cheese for smoother melting.
• Sodium Citrate: Essential emulsifying agent that ensures smooth, silky cheese sauce without graininess.
• Milk: Creates creamy base for cheese sauce, whole milk recommended for richer consistency.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent that helps create smooth cheese sauce texture.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Spice Mixture: Blend of spices that adds depth and complexity to ground beef, typically includes aromatic herbs and warm spices.

• Lettuce: Fresh base for serving, provides crisp contrast to rich pasta.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Bright, fresh topping that adds color and light acidity to the dish.

Cooking Taco Shells with Gooey Cheese Made Easy

Step 1: Prepare Boiling Water

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

Step 2: Create Spice Blend

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until thoroughly blended.

Step 3: Cook Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.

Step 4: Season Beef Mixture

Sprinkle prepared spice blend over beef. Stir and add a splash of water to prevent burning. Cook for additional 2 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare Cheese Sauce

• Mixing flour with milk
• Adding sodium citrate
• Whisking until no lumps remain

Simmer sauce on low heat.

Step 6: Cook Pasta

Add pasta to boiling water. Cook until tender but firm, about 8-9 minutes. Drain completely.

Step 7: Melt Cheese

Reduce skillet heat. Gradually add cheese, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.

Step 8: Combine and Serve

Gently mix pasta, beef, and cheese sauce. Plate over fresh lettuce and garnish with diced cherry tomatoes.

Tricks to Keep Taco Shells Crisp and Cheesy

• Choose High-Quality Beef: Select ground beef with 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Perfectly Spice the Meat: Toast spices briefly before mixing to enhance their aromatic qualities and depth of flavor.
• Prevent Cheese Sauce Clumping: Slowly add cheese while constantly whisking to ensure a smooth, creamy texture without lumps.
• Master Pasta Doneness: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a slight bite and prevent mushiness when mixed with sauce.
• Customize Your Toppings: Experiment with fresh garnishes like cilantro, diced onions, or jalapeños to elevate the dish's taste profile.

Save and Reheat Taco Shells Without the Sog

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Microwave Method: Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

Pair Taco Shells with These Sauces or Sides

• Spice Up Your Sips: Pair this zesty taco mac with a cold Mexican beer like Corona or Dos Equis to complement the bold beef and cheese flavors.
• Refreshing Citrus Companion: A crisp margarita with fresh lime juice cuts through the richness of the cheese sauce and adds a tangy brightness.
• Cool Down the Heat: Serve with a creamy avocado salsa or cilantro-lime sour cream to balance the spices and add a fresh, cooling element to the dish.
• Crunch Factor Side: Add a simple jalapeño cornbread or tortilla chips on the side to give extra texture and enhance the taco-inspired theme of the meal.

Taco Shells & Cheese, Done in New Tasty Ways

• Tex-Mex Taco Shells & Cheese: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo sausage for a richer, more intense flavor profile. Add diced jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese to enhance the heat.
• Vegetarian Fiesta Version: Swap ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles. Mix in roasted corn kernels and bell peppers for added texture and nutrition.
• Southwest Chicken Makeover: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of beef. Incorporate taco seasoning with cumin and smoked paprika. Top with crispy tortilla strips and fresh cilantro for extra crunch.
• Green Chile Fusion: Add diced green chiles to the cheese sauce. Use a blend of cheddar and queso fresco for a tangy, creamy finish. Sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.

Taco Shells & Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Taco shells & cheese blend Mexican zest with classic comfort in this irresistible fusion dish. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and crispy taco shells create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• ½ pound (8 ounces/226 grams) ground beef

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) mini shell or elbow pasta, cooked according to package instructions

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground chipotle chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Cheese and Dairy:

• 1 ¾ cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons (15 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons (11 grams) sodium citrate
• 8 ounces (226 grams) shredded white cheese (mix of white cheddar and gruyere)

Garnish:

• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Quartered cherry tomatoes

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with water, season with salt, and bring to a rolling boil.
2. Thoroughly blend spices in a compact container, ensuring uniform distribution.
3. Heat a skillet over medium flame and crumble ground beef, cooking until it loses most of its raw appearance, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Integrate spice blend into meat, adding a modest splash of liquid if the mixture appears parched.
5. Extract beef using a perforated utensil, transferring to a separate vessel while maintaining skillet temperature.
6. Craft a smooth flour and milk emulsion, then incorporate remaining dairy and sodium citrate into the skillet, whisking continuously until uniform.
7. Allow mixture to gently simmer, developing a consistent texture.
8. Immerse pasta in boiling water, cooking until achieving a tender yet firm consistency.
9. Drain pasta thoroughly, reserving it momentarily.
10. Reduce skillet heat, progressively introduce cheese while whisking, ensuring complete melting.
11. Merge cooked pasta, velvety cheese sauce, and seasoned beef mixture.
12. Plate atop crisp lettuce leaves, garnishing with vibrant cherry tomatoes for a fresh presentation.

Notes

• Perfectly seasoned taco-inspired mac and cheese combines bold flavors with creamy, melted cheese for a delightful dinner twist.
• Whisking spices beforehand ensures even distribution and maximum flavor throughout the ground beef and cheese sauce.
• Use a slotted spoon when transferring beef to prevent excess grease from diluting the rich cheese mixture.
• Creating a flour and milk paste helps prevent lumps and guarantees a smooth, silky cheese sauce every time.
• Letting the cheese melt gradually while whisking prevents separation and maintains a luxurious, creamy texture.
• Serving over crisp lettuce adds a fresh, crunchy contrast to the warm, hearty pasta dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 90mg