Description
Mouthwatering cheesy taco pasta brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables across home kitchens. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty seasonings create a quick weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) ground beef
- 12 oz (340 grams) pasta (penne, macaroni, or shells)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) diced tomatoes
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in salted water at 212°F until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onions until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 3 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and quickly toast for 30-45 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, breaking into small crumbles. Cook at 350°F until completely browned and no pink remains, roughly 6-7 minutes.
- Eliminate any accumulated excess fat from the meat using a spoon or paper towel.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly across the meat mixture, ensuring complete coverage and uniform flavor distribution.
- Pour tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth into the skillet. Blend thoroughly and allow to simmer for 4-5 minutes, creating a rich, robust sauce.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the meat mixture, ensuring each pasta piece is generously coated with the savory sauce.
- Reduce heat to low, gradually incorporate cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely, creating a smooth, creamy texture.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize taco seasoning intensity by adjusting the amount to suit personal spice preferences.
- Choose lean ground beef or swap with ground turkey for a healthier protein option.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican cheese mix for varied flavor profiles.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and checking taco seasoning ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg