Description
Cheesy taco pasta brings Mexican-inspired comfort to your dinner table. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty seasonings create a quick, satisfying meal that combines two beloved cuisines in one delicious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup beef broth
Carbohydrates:
- 8 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1/4 cup water
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Diced tomatoes
- Green onions
- Jalapenos
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot at high heat, then cook pasta until tender and slightly firm. Drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature. Add ground beef and sauté for 5-7 minutes, crumbling meat while cooking. Remove excess grease if necessary.
- Incorporate taco seasoning, water, and diced tomatoes into the browned meat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors thoroughly.
- Pour beef broth into the skillet and allow mixture to gently bubble for 5 minutes, reducing sauce and concentrating taste profile.
- Transfer drained pasta into the meat mixture, stirring to ensure complete coating. Fold in shredded cheese and sour cream, mixing until cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy texture.
- Arrange pasta in serving dishes and embellish with optional garnishes like fresh tomatoes, sliced green onions, spicy jalapeños, or chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while hot and appetizing.
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning or adding hot sauce for heat-seekers.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and check taco seasoning ingredients.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 445 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg