Southwest Taco Tuna Mac and Cheese Casserole
Enjoy this Tuna Mac and Cheese casserole with a southwest twist. It’s loaded with tuna, black beans, and taco seasoning with shredded cheddar and crushed tortilla chips topping!
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 542kcal
Equipment
- Baking dish 13X9-inch Sprayed with vegetable spray
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni or any kind you prefer
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Clove Garlic minced
- ¼ cup All-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ cups Whole milk
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 6 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese about 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 packet taco seasoning 1.1 ounce
- 15 ounce Can Black Beans rinsed and drained
- 5 ounce Can Yellowfin or Albacore tuna drained
Topping
- 2 ounce Sharp Cheddar Cheese about ½ cup shredded and reserved for the topping.
- Fresh Cilantro chopped
- Hot Sauce
- ½ cup Nacho chips roughly crushed
Instructions
- Boil the macaroni al dente, according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is boiling, make a slurry by adding butter and garlic to a large oven safe skillet or pot. Over medium heat melt the butter and whisk in the flour and onion powder. Cook for 30 seconds until a paste forms. Slowly add in the milk whisking away any lumps.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes stirring until the sauce thikens up similar to a gravy.
- Add in the 6 oz. of cheese and 1 packet of taco seasoning and stir until completely melted
- Fold into the cheesy sauce the cooked noodles, black beans, and drained tuna. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the tuna macaroni and cheese into a prepared baking dish. Spead the crushed nacho chips over the pasta and then sprinkle the ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese over the crushed chips.
- Place the casserole dish under the oven broiler to melt the cheese on top.
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the melted cheese and serve immediately.
- Serve with hot sauce for those who like spicy (optional).
Nutrition
Calories: 542kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 718mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 631IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 392mg | Iron: 3mg