Description
Baked Taco Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and a cheesy Mexican blend, baked to bubbly perfection. This recipe offers a delicious twist on traditional tacos, perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning packet
Sauce
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup water
Cheese and Garnish
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of your chosen pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound of ground beef until it is fully browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add 1 small diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Drain excess grease from the skillet to reduce fat.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in 1 ounce taco seasoning, 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes with their juices, 1 cup salsa, and 1/2 cup water. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly and flavors meld.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir everything together. Mix in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Mexican blend cheese until it melts evenly into the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the baked pasta rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped green onions before serving to add a fresh, flavorful finish.
Notes
- Use rotini or penne pasta for best texture and sauce coating.
- Feel free to swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the taco seasoning to taste if you prefer more or less spice.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To make it spicier, add jalapeños or hot sauce to the mixture before baking.
