Description
Cheesy Taco Cream Cheese Pasta is a flavorful and comforting skillet dish combining seasoned ground beef, creamy cheeses, and zesty taco flavors with tender pasta. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Seasonings and Sauces
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cheese and Pasta
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 12 oz short pasta (rotini or penne)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Beef and Sauté Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn.
- Season and Simmer: Sprinkle in taco seasoning, then add tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Add cream cheese to the skillet and stir until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add Tomatoes and Cheeses: Stir in the undrained Rotel diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. Continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the cheesy taco sauce.
- Season and Rest: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Let the pasta rest in the skillet for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the top before serving for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Use reduced-sodium taco seasoning and beef broth to control the sodium content.
- Substitute ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
- Add canned corn or black beans to increase volume and add flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican American
