Description
Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick 30-minute, five-ingredient comfort dish featuring seasoned ground beef, salsa, and melty Mexican-style cheese for a bold, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta shells
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups salsa
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Optional for a Creamier Sauce: 4 oz cream cheese
- Optional for a Creamier Sauce: 1/2 cup sour cream
- Optional for a Creamier Sauce: 1/2 cup half-and-half
Instructions
- Cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in taco seasoning and salsa. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until well combined.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and mix until fully coated.
- Stir in optional creamy ingredient if using.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover and cook for 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Adjust heat by using mild or hot salsa to taste.
- For a creamier sauce, stir in cream cheese, sour cream, or half-and-half after adding the pasta.
- Leftovers store in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/10 of recipe)
- Calories: Approximately 370 per serving
- Sugar: Approximately 6 g
- Sodium: Approximately 520 mg
- Fat: Approximately 20 g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 27 g
- Fiber: Approximately 3 g
- Protein: Approximately 15 g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 115 mg
Keywords: Cheesy Taco Pasta, 30-minute dinner, five-ingredient dinner, beef pasta, taco pasta, Mexican cheese pasta, weeknight dinner, family-friendly