Easy Taco Bake: Great for Cinco de Mayo!

Friday, May 5, 2023
Time to shake up your tired old Taco Tuesday with a new idea! This Taco Bake is a crowd pleaser and easy to make. Plus, I have an amazing drink for the adults to pair this with, too!


Disclosure: many thanks to Wallenpaupack Brewing Company for sending me samples of their amazing beers to try. I was excited to find a recipe I could pair them with, and I think this really hits the spot. Cheers! 


Don't forget to Pin this recipe for later! Who couldn't use an easy family recipe?


For a printable version of this recipe, scroll down!

Ingredients

 1 lb. ground beef
 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix (1oz)
 1 pkg. Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (14oz, any brand)
 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
 3/4 cup sour cream
 3/4 cup salsa (chunky/mild tastes best, but feel free to use your favorite)
*if you prefer your Taco Bake less spicy, then pick a mild salsa. Want more spice? Go for the hot salsa!


Directions

1. Heat oven to 400°F, spray an 8 inch square baking dish with cooking spray
2. Prepare macaroni and cheese dinner as directed on package. While macaroni is cooking, cook ground beef and add taco seasoning mix (following directions on the taco seasoning packet)
3. Stir sour cream into prepared macaroni and cheese dinner. Then spoon half the dinner mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with the meat mixture, 1 cup shredded cheese, and top with remaining mac and cheese dinner mixture. Cover with foil.

4. Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven, take off foil and top with salsa and remaining shredded cheese. 
5. Bake uncovered for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here!

Pair with Wallenpaupack Jalapeno Cream Ale 

And for the adults: if you're looking for a fun addition to your TACO BAKE TUESDAY, then you must try Wallenpaupack Brewing Company's Jalapeno Cream Ale. I had a chance to sample it, and I thought it was really unique with an awesome flavor. It goes great with tacos, tortilla chips or any of your favorite Mexican dishes. It's their classic Paupack Cream Ale infused with fresh jalapenos. I posted a photo of my Jalapeno Cream Ale on Instagram and people went nuts! I must've gotten 20 messages asking what it tastes like and how I liked it. Want to try it yourself? Well, you can visit Wallenpaupack Brewing Company in Hawley, PA. They have indoor and outdoor seating as well as beer and food to go (due to Covid-19, brewery tours are currently not being offered, but they hope to resume this soon). You can also connect with them on Facebook, Instagram. Other favorite beers that I sampled from Wallenpaupack Brewing Company were their Paupack Cream Ale, Smallmouth Low-Cal IPA (my favorite!) and their Oktoberfest Marzen. So good!! 


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