Description
Homemade taco shells & cheese blend Mexican and American comfort cuisine with crispy tortilla vessels and melted cheese. Cheese lovers will discover a quick, satisfying meal that combines familiar flavors in a delightful culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (8 oz/226 g) ground beef
- 8 oz (226 g) mini shell or elbow pasta, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground chipotle chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk
- 2 tbsps (15 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp (11 g) sodium citrate
- 8 oz (226 g) shredded white cheese (mix of white cheddar and gruyere)
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Quartered cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Boil Water: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a vigorous boil for pasta cooking.
- Prepare Spice Blend: Thoroughly mix spices in a small container to ensure even distribution.
- Cook Beef: Sear ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking into crumbles and cooking until browned, approximately 5 minutes.
- Season Meat: Sprinkle spice blend over beef, adding a small amount of liquid if the mixture appears dry, ensuring thorough coating.
- Cheese Sauce Creation: In the same skillet, whisk milk, dairy, and sodium citrate together, creating a smooth base while maintaining moderate heat.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente, then drain completely, reserving the pot.
- Cheese Integration: Gradually melt cheese into the sauce, whisking continuously to achieve a silky, uniform consistency.
- Combine Components: Fold cooked pasta, seasoned beef, and velvety cheese sauce together, ensuring every element is well-incorporated.
- Plate and Garnish: Transfer the taco-inspired mac and cheese onto crisp lettuce leaves, topping with vibrant cherry tomatoes for a fresh, appealing presentation.
Notes
- Spice Blend Mastery: Create your custom spice mix ahead of time for more consistent and intense flavor profile.
- Meat Browning Technique: Cook ground beef until it loses its raw pink color to develop deep, rich caramelized notes without burning.
- Cheese Sauce Secret: Whisk continuously while adding cheese to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, silky texture.
- Pasta Water Wisdom: Reserve a small amount of pasta water in case sauce needs additional moisture or adjustment during final mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg