Spicy Tex-Mex Beef & Mac Casserole
This hearty Spicy Tex-Mex Beef & Mac Casserole combines the robust flavors of seasoned ground beef with pasta and melty cheeses, making it a perfect one-dish meal for family gatherings or weeknight dinners. You can easily adapt this recipe by swapping out the ground beef for sausage or using your favorite small pasta shape. With optional add-ins like kidney beans and olives, you can customize it to your taste. Prepare it a day in advance for a stress-free cooking experience—just cover and refrigerate before baking. This versatile casserole is sure to satisfy your comfort food cravings!
8
Servings
400
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef
1 lb (browned)
Minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
Onion
1 (chopped)
Green bell pepper
1 (chopped)
Dried chili pepper flakes
1-2 teaspoons (optional or to taste)
Taco seasoning mix
2 (1 ounce) packages (or a single/double recipe of taco seasoning)
Grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (optional)
Bacon
8 slices (cooked until very crisp and chopped)
Tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can
Tomato soup
2 (10 ounce) cans
Brown sugar
1-2 tablespoons (optional)
Seasoning salt
to taste
Pepper
to taste
Cooked macaroni
3 cups (cooked to just firm-tender)
Shredded Tex-Mex cheese
4 cups (divided (or to taste))
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the minced garlic, chopped onion, and green bell pepper. Stir in the dried chili flakes for added heat, and cook for about 10-12 minutes or until the beef is well browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
3
Stir in the taco seasoning mix and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing well. Cook for another minute to incorporate the flavors.
4
Add the cooked, chopped bacon, tomato sauce, and both cans of tomato soup to the skillet. If desired, stir in the brown sugar to balance the flavors. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
Season the mixture with seasoning salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 2 cups of shredded Tex-Mex cheese until melted and well combined.
6
Gently fold in the cooked macaroni until fully incorporated.
7
Lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish. Transfer the beef and macaroni mixture to the dish.
8
Top the casserole with the remaining grated Parmesan cheese and the rest of the shredded Tex-Mex cheese.
9
Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
10
Let it cool slightly before serving, and enjoy your delicious, comforting casserole!
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
31.25g
Carbs
18.75g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Tex-Mex Beef & Mac Casserole?
It is a hearty one-dish meal that combines seasoned ground beef, macaroni pasta, and melty Tex-Mex cheeses for a comforting family dinner.
What are the main protein sources in this recipe?
The main proteins are one pound of ground beef and eight slices of cooked, chopped bacon.
Can I substitute the ground beef with another meat?
Yes, you can easily swap the ground beef for sausage or ground turkey depending on your preference.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe calls for three cups of cooked macaroni, but you can use any small pasta shape you prefer.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to provide 8 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long does it take to cook the beef and vegetable mixture?
It takes approximately 10-12 minutes to brown the beef with the garlic, onion, and green bell pepper.
Is this casserole spicy?
Yes, it includes dried chili flakes and taco seasoning for a spicy kick, though you can adjust these to your taste.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the casserole a day in advance, cover it, and refrigerate it before baking.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses four cups of shredded Tex-Mex cheese and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Are there any optional vegetables I can add?
You can customize the dish by adding kidney beans or olives to the mixture.
How should the macaroni be prepared?
The macaroni should be cooked until it is just firm-tender before being folded into the beef mixture.
What is the purpose of adding brown sugar?
Brown sugar is an optional ingredient used to balance the savory and acidic flavors of the tomato sauce and soup.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
After adding the tomato sauce and soup, the mixture should simmer for 30-40 minutes.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What size casserole dish is required?
You will need a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch casserole dish.
How long does the casserole bake in the oven?
The casserole should bake uncovered for about 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
Should I drain the fat from the beef?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat after browning the meat and vegetables.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 31.25g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 18.75g of protein per serving.
What type of bell pepper is used in the recipe?
The recipe specifies using one chopped green bell pepper.
Can I use homemade taco seasoning?
Yes, you can use two 1-ounce packages of store-bought mix or an equivalent amount of homemade taco seasoning.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely, its one-dish nature and ability to be refrigerated before baking make it excellent for meal prep.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 22.5g of fat.
What kind of tomato products are used?
The recipe requires one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce and two 10-ounce cans of tomato soup.
How do I prepare the bacon for this dish?
The bacon should be cooked until very crisp and then chopped before being added to the skillet.
Do I need to cover the dish while it bakes?
No, the instructions state to bake it uncovered to ensure the cheese becomes bubbly and golden.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Tags include chili casserole, pasta, beef, tex-mex, baked dish, and comfort food.
Can I adjust the amount of cheese?
Yes, the 4 cups of Tex-Mex cheese can be adjusted to your personal taste.
How much garlic is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic.