Description
This Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta is a delicious and hearty one-pan meal that combines seasoned ground beef with tender pasta, salsa, and creamy melted cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it blends the flavors of classic tacos with comforting pasta for a crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- ½ cup water (as needed)
Pasta and Cheese
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or taco blend)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Brown Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain Excess Fat: Drain off excess fat, but keep a small amount in the skillet to cook the seasonings.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, and some water. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Beef: Add the cooked pasta to the beef mixture and stir gently until well combined.
- Melt Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Optional Broil: Optionally, top with extra cheese and place under the broiler for a bubbly, golden finish.
- Serve: Serve hot, optionally garnished with toppings like sour cream, green onions, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Use your favorite pasta shape such as penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni for best results.
- Adjust water quantity slightly to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or hot sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated, though cheese may thicken upon cooling.
- Broiling is optional but adds a lovely cheesy crust.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
