Tonight's Dinner: Macaroni taco bake

One of my favorite comfort foods is macaroni and cheese. I don't mean the kind that comes in the box, I mean the thick and cheesy, homemade kind. However, since I don't always have a couple of hours to melt the butter and cheese, sometimes I have to resort to the box. It's quick and easy and actually kinda yummy...for being in a box. Being who I am, I never just use the ingredients in the box, I always add stuff to spice it up and make the mac and cheese just a little more interesting. Sometimes I add meat, sometimes I add vegetables, sometimes I add nothing at all. Well, this was not one of those nights.

Thanks to Taste of Home, I found a recipe that took that box of mac and cheese and completely turned it on its head. It was cheesy, meaty, spicy deliciousness all wrapped up in a casserole dish. And the best part? My son not only got his pasta fix, he got his meat and vegetables, too.

Macaroni Taco Bake

Ingredients

• 2 packages (7-ounces each) macaroni and cheese
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup fresh salsa
• 2 cups crushed tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Prepare macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the turkey meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink; add the taco seasonings and water and simmer for 10 minutes; stir in salsa and set aside.
3. Spread prepared macaroni and cheese into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Layer with turkey mixture, chips, and olives; sprinkle with cheese blend.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through. Serve immediately by itself or with sour cream or guacamole if desired.

>>More Tonight's Dinner Recipes

Other Macaroni & Cheese Recipes from She Knows

Baked macaroni & cheese "cupcakes"

Hot dog macaroni

Macaroni cloud in a cup