Description
Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick and delicious 30-minute dinner combining seasoned ground beef, salsa, and melted Mexican cheese with rotini pasta for a creamy, flavorful family meal everyone will enjoy.
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)
Liquids & Sauce
- 1 cup Water (optional if using liquid salsa)
- 1 cup Salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
Cheese
- 1.5 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese (or cheddar/Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by boiling water in a large pot, then cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside for later.
- Brown Ground Beef: In the same pot, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium heat. Stir frequently until the beef is fully browned and cooked through, then drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning along with a splash of water to help the seasoning distribute evenly. Cook until the water evaporates and the beef is well-coated in the flavorful seasoning.
- Combine Pasta and Salsa: Add the cooked rotini and salsa to the seasoned beef in the pot. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined and heated through.
- Add Cheese: Incorporate 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese into the mixture and stir continuously until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. Remove the pot from heat and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top to melt slightly with residual heat.
- Serve: Dish out generous portions into bowls and serve immediately, enjoying the rich, cheesy, and savory taco pasta.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for the beef.
- Adjust salsa heat level based on family preference: mild, medium, or hot.
- Use homemade taco seasoning for fresher, more controlled flavors.
- If you prefer a creamier dish, add a splash of milk or cream with the cheese.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
