Taco Pasta
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
571 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Taco Pasta
Description
This Taco Pasta recipe uses rotini pasta cooked until tender and tossed with seasoned ground beef cooked with onions, drained diced tomatoes, and a blend of taco seasoning. Cream cheese and sour cream melt into the pasta and meat mixture to create a creamy, tangy sauce that coats each piece of pasta. Cheddar cheese adds sharpness and richness.
The dish features fresh diced Roma tomatoes and chopped cilantro as finishing touches, adding brightness to balance the richness. Additional taco toppings like tortilla strips, olives, avocado, or jalapeños can be added for personal preference and texture contrast.
The method focuses on layering flavors by cooking the meat and onions first, then mixing with the cooked pasta and dairy to achieve a cohesive and creamy dish. The reserved pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency as needed. This recipe works well as a weeknight meal offering familiar taco flavors in a new format.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta or other short pasta
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef I use 90% lean
- 1/2 cup onion minced
- 1 ounce can diced tomatoes drained, petite
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Roma tomato diced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro chopped
- tortilla strip additional taco toppings if desired
- olive
- avocado
- jalapeño
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the beef.
- Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and break up with a spatula.
- Add the onion to the pan.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes or until meat is browned and cooked through, and onion is tender.
- Add the tomatoes and taco seasoning to the pan and stir to combine.
- Pour the cooked pasta into the pan with the meat. Reduce the heat to low.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream and cheddar cheese to the pan. Cook, stirring constantly until cheese are melted.
- Add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed to thin the sauce to desired consistency.
- Sprinkle with tomatoes and cilantro and serve. Add additional taco toppings if desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 571 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 571kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 46g | 15% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 141mg | 47% |
| Sodium | 486mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 642mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1075IU | 22% |
| Vitamin C | 3.8mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 291mg | 29% |
| Iron | 3.8mg | 21% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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