...I Don't Wanna Taco Bout It
Alright, so... this one is not my best work, but I decided to post it anyways, in case someone else would like it.
I haven't posted in a while because I've been hiding from the shame of a failed mac n cheese creation.
...Just kidding. I just love tacos, and I love mac and cheese, so I thought putting the two together would be a match made in heaven. It was a match made in mediocrity. The end result kind of tasted a lot like a knockoff taco Hamburger Helper in my opinion, so this might be amazing if you like taco Hamburger Helper!
Anyways, I made a taco mac n cheese, and here's the lowdown.
Here we go...
I began this concoction with about 1 lb of ground beef. I browned it in a deep frying pan, and while it was browning I chopped 2 jalapenos, 1/2 of a red pepper and 1/2 of a green pepper, and 1 whole medium white onion. I seasoned my beef with a standard packet of taco seasoning I got at the grocery store. I do like to make my own taco seasoning, but I was in a pinch as this was after work, and I was hungry... err... hangry??
Sure you could make your seasoning ahead of time, and keep it on hand, but I didn't think that far ahead. I'm not THAT great at planning out a dish... heh...
So anyways... once my meat was browned, I added in the peppers and onion and I let it all cook together with the meat and taco seasoning. Drain any excess grease from the beef. You don't want that to potentially separate in your cheese sauce. That would be weird. I didn't wanna chance it.
Once my peppers were pretty soft, I added about 1/4 to 1/2 a jar of salsa, and cooked it a little more, then transferred my mixture to a bowl.
Easy peasy!
Time to put the cheese on it!
I used my standard cheese sauce for this part. I started with two tablespoons of margarine, and two tablespoons of flour, and added two cups of milk once my margarine and flour cooked down a bit. Then I let it thicken.
I've got some salt and pepper in this sauce.
I chose to use a mixture of old cheddar cheese, and Monterrey jack cheese. I am not totally sure, but I think I used about a cup of each (to taste). You could use more or less if you want to. I love cheese. Who doesn't? Add the cheese once the sauce has thickened to a consistency you're happy with. I usually wait until it's thick on the spoon, and take it off the heat.
When my cheese sauce was ready, I added my ground beef taco and peppers mixture to it.
While all of this is happening, make sure you cook your pasta at the same time! Otherwise it takes longer!
I used cavatappi for this mac n cheese (I'd say about 2-3 cups uncooked). Then add it to your cheese/beef sauce once it's al dente.
Almost there!!
Alright, so this one was pretty short n sweet eh? Once you mix the pasta in with your cheese sauce, you can do the breadcrumb and cheese topper. This step is totally optional, but I love it. It's one of my favorite parts of macaroni and cheese. It adds texture to your gooey mac n cheese! Put it under your broiler for about 3-5 minutes. You may not even need that long depending on your oven, but keep a close eye on it. Broilers seem to get extra hot once you turn your back on them!
Once your breadcrumbs and cheese are toasty and golden on top, take it out and serve this bad boy up! I hope you enjoy it (I didn't really). The weird thing is, it was way better the next day. I had leftovers for lunch.
My fiance really liked this version of mac and cheese, so it really depends on personal preference I think.
So there we go. Done. Personally, I probably wouldn't make this one again, unless a request was put in...
Recipe:
Ingredients:
(For taco beef)
About 1 pound of ground beef
1 medium white onion
2 jalapeno peppers (seeds removed)
1/2 red pepper
1/2 green pepper
Taco seasoning
1/4-1/2 jar of salsa
(For pasta and cheese sauce)
2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 tbsp flour
2 cups of 2% milk
salt & pepper to taste
1-1 and 1/2 cups old cheddar cheese
1-1 and 1/2 cups monterrey jack cheese
1/4-1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
About 1-3 cups cavatappi pasta
Method:
Taco Beef:
1. Brown ground beef in a deep frying pan. Add taco seasoning.
2. Finely chop jalapenos, green and red pepper and onion.
3. Mix together in one pan and cook peppers with ground beef. Drain any excess fat once peppers and onions have softened. Add salsa and cook together a little more.
Pasta & Cheese Sauce:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt. Cook pasta until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tbsp margarine. Add flour and cook until light brown in color. Add 2 cups 2% milk, salt & pepper, and let this mixture thicken.
3. Remove from heat once milk is thick, and add cheese. Once the cheese has melted, add ground beef mixture.
4. Transfer all of the ingredients once combined to an oven safe baking dish. Top with panko and cheese, then brown under broiler until toasty and golden brown on top.