Description
Cheesy Taco Pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish combining tender pasta shells with seasoned ground beef, savory spices, and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, this recipe features classic taco flavors blended with creamy, cheesy goodness and topped with crunchy tortilla chips, sour cream, and fresh parsley for an extra burst of texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Pasta and Meat Sauce
- 1/2 pound large shells pasta
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup jarred salsa
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Garnish
- Additional cheddar cheese
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the large shell pasta and cook according to the box instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
- Brown the ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. When the oil is hot and sizzling, add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Drain excess fat: Carefully drain the fat from the skillet, leaving about 1 to 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan to flavor the dish.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant and the onion softens slightly.
- Add seasonings and liquids: Stir in the taco seasoning, dried oregano, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Pour in 3/4 cup of water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates and the mixture thickens.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the beef mixture. Pour in the salsa and sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese. Gently stir everything together until the cheese melts and the pasta is well coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately topped with extra shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped parsley for garnish, adding a delicious crunch and creamy finish.
Notes
- Choose a yellow, rough-textured pasta without cracks for the best texture and flavor.
- Use a large pot with plenty of salted water (about 1 tablespoon salt per 4 quarts water) to prevent the pasta from sticking and season it from within.
- Cook the pasta al dente as it will continue cooking slightly when combined with the beef mixture.
- Use 85/15 lean ground beef to reduce excess grease.
- To reduce fat content, substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey.
- If sensitive to spicy food, omit the taco seasoning and red pepper flakes for a milder flavor.
