Taco Pasta
Taco Pasta is a fast and easy to make meal that merges an Italian dinner with delicious Mexican flavors. Hearty, cheesy, and simply spiced, homemade is better than cooking from the box!
Servings: 8
Calories: 357kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (4 cups) medium size pasta shells
- 1½ lbs lean ground beef
- 1 cup finely diced sweet yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
- 2 ounces (2 1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup mild chunky salsa
- 2½ cups Colby and Monterey Jack shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta shells according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add the ground beef, diced onion and garlic to a 5 - 6 quart heavy bottom stockpot over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef for 5 - 7 minutes, until cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any remaining grease.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the taco seasoning and the water to the cooked beef mixture. Stir well and allow the mixture to cook for 8 - 10 minutes.
- Stir in the salsa and cook on low for another 3 - 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is completely melted.
- Stir in the cooked pasta shells. Garnish with the chopped cilantro. Serve while hot.
Notes
Storage:
- To Store: Store any leftover Taco Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- To Reheat: Reheat your Taco Pasta on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
- You can substitute small pasta shells for the medium size. (The medium size shell is no. 50)
- For the freshest flavor, you can shred your own block of cheese instead of buying the pre-shredded cheese.
- Lean ground beef is best for this recipe because it has less grease.
Nutrition
Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 1066mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1061IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 206mg | Iron: 3mg