Description
This Cheesy Taco Pasta recipe is a quick and delicious 30-minute dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Combining seasoned ground beef, a flavorful taco seasoning blend, salsa, and melted Mexican cheese with rotini pasta, this dish offers a comforting fusion of Tex-Mex flavors and creamy cheesy goodness that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta (or any pasta type available)
Protein
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey/plant-based alternative)
Seasoning & Sauce
- 1 cup water (optional, if using liquid salsa)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade for freshness)
- 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, according to preference)
Cheese
- 1.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (or cheddar/Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling water in a large pot. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside to be mixed later.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Using the same pot, heat it over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook it while stirring and crumbling until the beef is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning along with a splash of water (if needed). Continue cooking until the water evaporates and the beef is well-coated with the seasoning, enhancing the taco flavor.
- Combine Pasta and Salsa: Add the cooked rotini pasta and salsa to the seasoned beef in the pot. Mix everything thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined, creating a delicious base for the cheesy layer.
- Add and Melt Cheese: Incorporate 1 ½ cups of shredded Mexican cheese into the pasta and beef mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the mixture becomes creamy, then remove the pot from heat.
- Serve: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top for extra cheesiness. Dish out generous portions into bowls and enjoy this warm, hearty cheesy taco pasta meal with your family.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a different protein option.
- Adjust the spiciness by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa according to your preference.
- For homemade taco seasoning, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Use any pasta shape you prefer if rotini is not available.
- To make the dish creamier, add a splash of milk or cream when melting the cheese.
