Taco Pasta
User Reviews
4.7
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
369 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Taco Pasta
Description
Taco Pasta is a hearty dish that merges ground beef with taco flavorings and pasta for a unique, creamy combination. Cooking the pasta shells separately allows them to retain their shape and texture while the ground beef is sautéed with onions and garlic for depth. Tomato adds juiciness and body to the skillet mixture, which is then balanced by cream cheese and sour cream to create a creamy, smooth sauce. Taco seasoning injects a recognizable blend of spices without overpowering the richness.
The final touch of fresh cilantro adds a crisp herbal note and a burst of green color, complementing the warm tones of the dish. This recipe can be served as a complete meal on its own or paired with simple sides like a green salad if desired.
Adjusting the amount of reserved pasta water in the sauce allows control over the consistency to achieve a creamy coating without excess liquid. Using either ground beef or turkey provides some flexibility based on preference. The recipe adapts easily for families by using plain diced tomatoes if milder flavors are preferred.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 8-12 ounces pasta shells about 3-4 cups dry, medium or any other short pasta shapes
- 1 onion chopped (about 1 cup, small
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 (14 ounces) diced tomato drained (if making this for kids you might want to use just plain diced tomatoes, with mild green chilies, canned
- 1 taco seasoning 4 tablespoons, packet
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 /2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 /4 cup cilantro chopped
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. A few minutes before the meat is cooked through, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Once the meat is cooked through, mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in the cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit if it is still too thin. Add the cooked pasta a little at a time to the ground beef mixture. You may not need all of it. Stir to coat.
- Toss in the fresh cilantro right before serving for some fresh color and flavor. Serve with a green salad.
Notes
- Use mild diced tomatoes if preparing for children or to reduce spice.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce thickness while combining pasta and meat mixture.
- Fresh cilantro added last preserves its vibrant flavor and color.
- This recipe can be made with ground turkey as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 369 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/6 of the recipe | |
| Calories | 369kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 22g | 44% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 0.5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 75mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 117mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 399mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 326IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 55mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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