Description
Craving comfort with a Mexican twist? Cheesy taco pasta brings zesty flavors and creamy goodness to your dinner table. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and perfectly seasoned pasta create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound Ground Beef
Pasta and Sauce Base:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Rotini Pasta
- 1 ounce (28 grams) Taco Seasoning
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1 1/2 cups Salsa
Cheese:
- 2 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend (divided)
Instructions
- Prepare rotini pasta in a pot of boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature. Crumble ground beef into the pan, cooking until completely browned and no pink remains. Eliminate excess grease by draining.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over browned meat and pour water into the skillet. Simmer mixture, stirring frequently, until liquid reduces and seasonings coat meat evenly.
- Incorporate cooked pasta and salsa directly into the seasoned beef. Toss ingredients until pasta becomes uniformly coated with meat and sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and fold in Mexican cheese blend. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely, creating a creamy, cohesive sauce that envelops the pasta and meat.
- Turn off heat and distribute remaining cheese across the top of the dish. Allow residual warmth to gently melt cheese for 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer cheesy taco pasta to serving dishes. Optionally, garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions for a vibrant finishing touch. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Select rotini pasta for its optimal sauce-holding texture, ensuring each bite bursts with cheesy taco flavor.
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease, keeping the dish light and not overly fatty.
- Use low-sodium taco seasoning to control salt levels, making the recipe more diet-friendly and heart-healthy.
- Add diced bell peppers or corn for extra nutritional value and a vibrant color boost to the dish.
- Cool pasta slightly before adding cheese to prevent sauce from becoming grainy or separating.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, reheating with a splash of salsa to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg