Taco mac ranch recipe is so easy to prep that you’ll have all the ingredients on hand. Plus, it only requires 10 minutes of stovetop cooking time while you do something else.
With a filling of macaroni noodles and ground beef, this dish is sure to please even the pickiest eaters in the family (or amongst your friends).
A secret ingredient in many Tex-Mex recipes is the ranch. It is a delicious combination of spices, vegetables, and herbs found in most grocery stores today.
In this recipe, homemade taco seasoning from scratch will be used and a variety of fresh ingredients to create a robust, bold taste that will have your family members asking for seconds.
Why You May Choose This Taco Mac Ranch Recipe?
Taco mac ranch recipe is so easy to prep that you’ll have all the ingredients on hand. Plus, it only requires 10 minutes of stovetop cooking time while you do something else.
Topped with shredded cheddar cheese and baked in the oven, your Taco mac ranch recipe is a satisfying family meal that’s perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
When you’re ready to clean up, serve the taco mac on top of a bed of lettuce for a healthier take on a classic fast-food dish.
How To Make Taco Mac Ranch Recipe?
Ingredients
- 9-12 flour tortillas (depending on the number of people)
- 1 tsp. salt, divided
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 large onions, chopped into quarters (or 2 small)
- 12 oz. Rotel
- 3 10-oz. cans diced tomatoes and green chilies* (See notes)
- 1 6-oz can Tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup milk (or heavy cream, if you prefer)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed into a paste (or 1 tsp. garlic powder)
Equipment
While you’re chopping the ingredients, be sure to label the following containers:
Mixing Bowls
– 1 medium bowl (for both the sauce and the meat)
– 1 small bowl (for sour cream and cheese)
– 1 small bowl (for shredded cheddar cheese)
Small Batter Bowls (1 full-sized one and 2 smaller ones)
– 1 small bowl or two regular-sized ones for topping your tacos with sauce, sour cream, and cheese.
Baking Dish: 9″ x 13″ pan or an oven-safe 9×9″ baking dish is needed.
Instructions
1. First off, heat a pan to medium heat. While it heats up, go ahead and chop your onion into quarters and chop your garlic.
If you’re using fresh garlic, mince or press your garlic into a paste before adding it to the pan. Once the pan is warm, add one tsp of oil and let it heat up for about a minute. (You can skip this step if you’d prefer)
2. Next, add your ground beef to the hot pan with 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook until browned through.
3. While this is cooking, mix the following into a small bowl:
– 1/4 cup of water with 2 tbsps. of taco seasoning
4. Once your beef is fully cooked, drain the grease and then dump it into a greased 9×9″ pan that has been waiting for you to fill it.
The pan should be greased lightly with oil or nonstick spray. Put the ground beef in the middle of the pan and gently spread it around until you get to all four corners of the pan.
5. Next, mix the following in a bowl:
- 1/4 cup of water with 2 tbsps. of taco seasoning
- 1/2 package of ranch dressing mix (you can get a 10 oz. pkg of this at any grocery store in the seasoning aisle; this makes about 1/3rd cup)
- 1/4 cup milk
Once you have your sauce ready, pour it on top of the meat and then place the pan into your oven heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. (If you don’t have an oven, you can use a toaster oven or even a George Foreman grill)
6. While the pan is in the oven, chop your tomatoes and onions. Also, chop your cilantro. (You can leave the cilantro whole or chop it if you’d prefer),
7. Next, add all of these ingredients into a medium-sized mixing bowl and mix well together so that they’re evenly distributed in the bowl. You can use plastic wrap or wax paper to cover your bowl until you are ready to use it.
8. Once your meat has been cooking for 10 minutes, you can add your ground beef, onions, and tomatoes into the bowl with the rest of your ingredients. Mix well, and then add this mixture back into the pan in the oven.
9. Bake for about 45 minutes to an hour or until the meat is fully cooked. The meat should be tender but not completely falling apart at this point.
10. Once the Taco mac has baked, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes or so before you serve it.
11. Time to serve the Taco mac ranch recipe! Use two forks to pull out big chunks of beef and place them on top of your tortilla filled with cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese.
12. Put in a microwave for 45 seconds until your cheese is fully melted, or place it under the broiler for 3 minutes. (Watch it, so it doesn’t burn).
Try one of our many easy and tasty Taco recipes if you enjoyed this recipe.
Nutrition Fact Of Taco Mac Ranch Recipe
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 270 kcal |
| Total Fat | 4 g (5% DV) |
| Protein | 15 g (25% DV) |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g (10% DV) |
| Fiber | 2 g (7% DV) |
| Sugars | 13 g (18% DV) |
| Iron | 3.3 mg (10%) |
| Vitamin C | 0.9 mg (3%) |
| Vitamin A | 18.4 IU (52%) |
5 Healthy Nutrition Of Taco Mac Ranch Recipe
1. Choose Your Breading
No matter what type you choose, a taco mac should always have tortillas, your main ingredient of choice.
I prefer flour for this recipe because of its thickness and because most people enjoy the taste of corn tortillas more than flour tortillas. If you don’t, then use corn or other types of bread.
2. The Sauce
The sauce is crucial when using any Taco recipe as it makes or breaks your dish. I prefer to make my own since it tastes better and is healthier, but if you don’t want to make the sauce, buy a tub of sour cream, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese.
3. Protein
Choose any protein you want from chicken, beef, turkey, or pork. Whatever suits your taste buds!
4. The Main Ingredient
Texans like to use ground beef in their Taco mac recipe because it’s cheap and tastes good for a quick lunch or dinner.
5. The Vegetables
Choosing your vegetables is simply a matter of preference. I like to add onions and tomatoes to my Taco mac recipe because they are my other main ingredients. You can add any vegetables you want, but I would recommend adding green beans, corn, or whatever else suits your taste buds.
Conclusion
We can see that the taco mac ranch recipe is a delicious and easy substitute for the traditional taco macaroni casserole dish. There are many recipes, but this one incorporates tacos into what is otherwise a macaroni dish. This makes it even more flavorful!
This recipe for taco mac is simple to make, but it has some added benefits. With this taco mac ranch recipe, you will be cooking up some delicious food while also getting the nutrients of vegetables. All it takes is ten minutes and a handful of ingredients.
That’s it! This is your chance to try your hand at cooking up some tasty tacos. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and give this recipe a try today.