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Cheese and meat and pasta. Nothing is more comforting and delicious! When I saw this dish, I knew it was something I was going to have to try. It’s almost reminiscent of hamburger helper, but sooooo much better! And yes, I am almost ashamed to admit that I’m a fan of hamburger helper. It was a great food to help me get through college along with easy mac! 🙂
This pasta dish is so easy to make, and such simple ingredients! I usually have all the ingredients on hand, so it works out perfectly for me as a quick weeknight meal. Or just whenever I feel like a creamy, comforting dinner. And who would have thought to add cream cheese to pasta and meat! I love cream cheese so much, so it’s like this dish was made for me! Hehe. It has become a regular dish I now make, and I highly recommend trying it for yourself!
Creamy Taco Mac
1 pound ground beef
1 pound small dried pasta (such as macaroni or shells)
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced or diced tomatoes
4 tablespoons mild taco seasoning
3 ounces cream cheese
½ cup sour cream
Freshly ground pepper and salt
Cheddar cheese (optional)
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta per directions. Reserve one cup of pasta water.
Over medium heat, brown ground beef until browned and no longer pink. Add taco seasoning and diced tomatoes; simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Add cream cheese and sour cream and mix until melted and fully incorporated. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water and mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately and top off with cheddar cheese, if desired.
Source: Adapted from Delish
A Dash of Sugar and Spice 
Stefanie, when I read “pasta, meat and cheese” I already feel guilty 😉 I love of course the combination and whatever is added to this dish, it will be delicious.
Yours looks simply perfect! I also add sometimes cream cheese (but the very light one) instead of cream to certain pasta sauces and love it.
This dish looks like a winner (cheese, pasta, & meat? C’mon!) and one that I will surely make when the colder weather hits. Thanks, Stefanie, for sharing the comfort.
Oh my gosh, this is like ultimate comfort food.
I just wanted to know what the taco seasoning is.. Could you give a brand name? I don’t usually go beyond baharat (sometimes referred to as mixed spice), paprika, salt, pepper, and the other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, bay leaves, onion salt, curry powder etc.
So when that cold, rainy summer day comes by (happens too often Down Under), and I decide I want to make this, I’d like to have the taco seasoning sitting in my pantry waiting 🙂
Oh by the way, I was strolling along in the shops with mum and saw out of the corner of my eye some taco seasoning, so I bought it! 😀 Now I want to try this recipe when I get the chance to! 🙂
Yay! So sorry I forgot to respond about the taco seasoning. If you ever have trouble finding it again, look online for a recipe to make your own taco seasoning. Let me know what you think of the pasta!
Hey Steph, a week or so back I made this recipe, but without the sour cream because it seems like no one here likes it …. this tasted fantastic, thanks for putting up the post 😀
Glad you and your family enjoyed it! I just had it for dinner tonight 🙂 it’s become a regular meal for me
So excited to see a healthier version of the HH. I used to love it as a kid, but when I made it a couple years ago it was SO salty. Will definitely have to try this one.
I’ve never tried hamburger helper – weird I know! I do think if I’m going to it will be your version though. It looks so warm and comforting. I think my kids would enjoy this too. They like bacon and ham in their mac and cheese. This could be a new twist for them to try. 🙂
I so need comfort food right now and that looks PERFECT! What could be better than macaroni and cheese mixed with cream cheese and taco filling?! Absolutely nothing!
Totally agree – most perfect comfort food EVER! Round it off with chocolate cake and it’s the all-time best lift-me-up-out-of-the-grumps food ever! Great looking, comforting dish!
Yum. What a great spicy version!
Too funny that you said it is reminiscent of hamburger helper, because it is. However, I’m sure the homemade version is much more tasty. 😉
Oh geez, stop right there. That macaroni looks incredible and so comforting! I agree, your version is much, much better than hamburger helper. I’m really going to need to try this recipe out. I’m getting hungry just looking at the photos. x
I love that you have a homemade version of the “hamburger helper”, I think my fam would enjoy this. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Definitely some good comfort food right here! I could cozy up with a bowl of this anytime!
What a great recipe Stefanie! I love it 😉
Pasta, meat, cheese…perfect for me.