Macaroni Fajita Bake

Jun 05, 2023June 5, 20230 16
Macaroni Fajita Bake recipe for dinner tonight
in Dinner

Prep

15 min

Cook

35 min

Ready In

50 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef ( or ground turkey )
2 garlic cloves , minced
1 green bell pepper , coarsley chopped
1 red bell pepper , coarsely chopped
1 lb elbow macaroni
1/2 cup sliced green onion , divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 jars salsa con queso
1 cup crushed tortilla chips , divided
3/4 cup shredded colby-monterey jack cheese
1 teaspoon chopped cilantro

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
8
Calories
423
Sugar
5g
Fat
24g
Looking for a new twist on your favorite mac and cheese recipe? Look no further than this Macaroni Fajita Bake! This one-dish meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. It combines all of the ingredients you love in a classic Fajita - ground beef (or turkey), bell peppers, and cumin - with the comforting texture of macaroni and cheese. The addition of salsa con queso and crushed tortilla chips takes this dish to the next level and gives it a satisfying crunch. Serve with a side salad or some extra vegetables for a complete meal that the whole family will love.

Instructions

1.Preheat oven to 350F.
2.Cook macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3.Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown ground beef (or turkey) with garlic over medium-high heat until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
4.Add chopped green and red bell peppers to the skillet, and stir to combine. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
5.Add cooked macaroni, 1/4 cup green onions, cumin, cayenne pepper, and salsa con queso to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
6.Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish, and sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and remaining 1/4 cup green onions.
7.Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro before serving.

PROS

This recipe is easy to make and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

The combination of ground beef (or turkey), macaroni, and vegetables makes this a well-rounded meal and a crowd-pleaser.

Leftovers can be reheated and enjoyed for lunch or dinner the next day.

CONS

This recipe contains a fair amount of cheese and may not be suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance or who are trying to watch their calorie and fat intake.

The addition of tortilla chips also adds to the overall calorie and fat content of this dish.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This recipe contains several healthy ingredients such as lean protein (beef or turkey), macaroni (a good source of carbohydrates), and bell peppers (a great source of vitamin C).
The cumin in this recipe has been shown to aid in digestion and improve blood sugar control, while the garlic is known to have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help boost the immune system.

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