Description
This Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick and delicious 30-minute dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Combining the bold flavors of taco-seasoned ground beef with tender rotini pasta and melted Mexican cheese, this family-friendly meal is simple to prepare and sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini (or any pasta type available)
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound Ground Beef (or ground turkey/plant-based alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning (homemade for freshness)
- 1 cup Water (optional if using liquid salsa)
Sauce and Cheese
- 1 cup Salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
- 1.5 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese (or cheddar/Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Begin by boiling water in a large pot. Cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside for later.
- Cook Ground Beef: In the same pot, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat. Crumble the beef as it cooks and stir until it is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Season Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning along with a splash of water. Cook the mixture until the water evaporates and the beef is well-coated with the seasoning.
- Add Pasta and Salsa: Add the cooked rotini and salsa to the seasoned beef in the pot. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in 1 ½ cups of shredded Mexican cheese into the mixture. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy. Remove the pot from heat.
- Serve: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the pasta mixture. Dish out generous portions into bowls and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a lighter or vegetarian option.
- Adjust the salsa heat level to your family’s preference—mild, medium, or hot.
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk or cream when adding cheese.
- Homemade taco seasoning enhances freshness but store-bought seasoning packets work as well.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
