Description
These Melty Mac & Cheese Burger Tacos combine juicy, cheese-topped burger patties with creamy homemade mac and cheese, all wrapped in warm, soft flour tortillas. This fun fusion recipe is perfect for a hearty and comforting meal that brings together classic American flavors in a taco format, ready in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Burgers:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Mac & Cheese:
- 1 cup elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tacos:
- 8 small soft flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup shredded lettuce
- 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
- Pickles (optional)
- Chopped onions (optional)
- 1/2 cup salsa or taco sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Burgers: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium heat. In a bowl, combine ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Form this mixture into 4 even patties. Place shredded cheddar cheese on top of each patty and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until the burgers are fully cooked and the cheese melts. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Mac & Cheese: Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat and stir in the flour, cooking for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes. Mix in shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring until smooth and melted. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until the macaroni is fully coated. Set aside.
- Assemble the Tacos: Warm the flour tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable. Lightly brush each tortilla with olive oil to add slight crispness. Spoon a generous portion of mac & cheese onto the center of each tortilla, top with a burger patty, then add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and optional pickles and chopped onions. Drizzle with salsa or taco sauce if desired.
- Serve: Fold the tortillas around the fillings carefully and serve immediately while warm. Enjoy the gooey, cheesy, savory goodness of Melty Mac & Cheese Burger Tacos!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat for variation.
- Use gluten-free pasta and tortillas to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust the cheese amount according to your preference for extra melty or lighter cheesiness.
- Pickles, onions, and salsa are optional toppings, but they add great texture and flavor contrast.
- Leftover mac & cheese and burger patties can be stored separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
