Cheesy Taco Skillet
User Reviews
5
Cheesy Taco Skillet
Description
This Cheesy Taco Skillet starts by browning lean ground beef seasoned well with taco seasoning. After draining excess fat, water, salsa, and uncooked pasta are added directly to the skillet and brought to a boil, then simmered covered until the pasta is tender. The pasta cooks in the flavorful liquid, preventing the need for draining and melding well with the meat and salsa base.
Once the pasta is cooked, cubes of Velveeta cheese are stirred in, melting into a smooth creamy sauce that cling to the beef and pasta, enriching the texture and flavor. The resulting dish features a savory, cheesy filling with taco seasoning accents and a mild saucy bite from salsa.
Vegetables such as diced peppers or corn can be stirred in near the end of cooking for added texture and nutrition. The skillet method streamlines preparation and cleanup, allowing a satisfying family meal with accessible ingredients. The dish works well alongside typical taco toppings or as a standalone comfort dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef lean
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 ¾ cups water
- ¾ cup salsa
- 3 ½ cups pasta such as penne or rotini, uncooked, medium size
- 8 ounces Velveeta cheese cut into ½-inch cubes
Instructions
- Brown ground beef until no pink remains. Drain fat.
- Stir in taco seasoning.
- Add water, salsa, and pasta. Bring to a boil reduce heat and cover.
- Simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender adding more water if needed.
- Once pasta is tender, add cheese and stir until smooth and creamy.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (80/20) and drain fat before adding pasta to control greasiness.
- If the pasta is not tender after 10 minutes, add extra water a little at a time to ensure proper cooking.
- Vegetables like peppers and corn can be added during the last minutes of pasta cooking for more texture and flavor.
- Cubing Velveeta cheese helps it melt evenly into a creamy sauce; if substituting, add cream cheese plus shredded cheese for a similar texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 641 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 641 | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 62g | 21% |
| Protein | 42g | 84% |
| Fat | 24g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 101mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 1310mg | 55% |
| Potassium | 779mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 830IU | 17% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 367mg | 37% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
