5 from 48 votes
Cheesy Taco Pasta
Cheesy Taco Pasta combines large shell pasta with ground beef seasoned with taco spices, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese for a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal. The dish features a blend of savory, spicy, and sharp cheddar flavors with a creamy texture from melted cheese. Adding crushed tortilla chips and sour cream as garnish introduces contrasting crunch and cooling elements, making it suitable for casual dinners or family meals.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
432 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American, Mexican
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound large shell pasta
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup salsa jarred
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- cheese
- tortilla chip crushed
- sour cream
- parsley chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the box directions, drain it, and set aside.
- In the meantime, place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Once it starts sizzling, add the ground beef and brown well, breaking it with a spoon until it is no longer pink.
- Drain the fat, leaving only 1-2 tablespoons in the pan.
- Add the onion and garlic, stir, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the taco seasoning, dried oregano, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add 3/4 cup of water, stir, and cook until water is gone.
- Add the pasta to the pan. Add the salsa and cheese. Stir to combine.
- You can serve it immediately, preferably with crunchy tortilla chips, sour cream, and more cheese on top.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use pasta with a rough texture and no cracks to ensure good sauce adhesion and even cooking.
- Cook pasta in plenty of heavily salted water and keep pieces separate to avoid clumping.
- Choose 85/15 lean ground beef to reduce excess grease in the dish.
- Cook pasta to al dente so it retains texture when mixed into the beef sauce.
- Adjust seasonings: omit taco seasoning and red pepper flakes if you prefer less heat.
- Substitute ground chicken or turkey for beef to lower fat content.
Nutrition Information
Calories
432kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
25g
(50%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Cholesterol
59mg
(20%)
Sodium
634mg
(26%)
Potassium
486mg
(10%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
445IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
2.9mg
(3%)
Calcium
162mg
(16%)
Iron
2.6mg
(14%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 432
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 432kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 59mg | 20% |
| Sodium | 634mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 486mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 445IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 2.9mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 162mg | 16% |
| Iron | 2.6mg | 14% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.