Description
Hearty taco pasta blends Mexican and Italian cuisines into one delicious comfort meal. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty seasonings create a quick weeknight dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) ground beef
- 12 oz (12 ounces) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 oz (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapenos
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Diced avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Meat Foundation: Sauté ground beef in olive oil over medium heat, crumbling and browning evenly. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened and aromatic.
- Flavor Infusion: Sprinkle taco seasoning over meat mixture. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth, stirring to create a rich, spicy sauce.
- Sauce Melding: Simmer the mixture, allowing flavors to develop and intensify. Incorporate cooked pasta, ensuring complete coating with the robust sauce.
- Creamy Transformation: Remove from heat and fold in sour cream, creating a velvety texture. Distribute half the shredded cheese throughout the dish.
- Final Embellishment: Top with remaining cheese, letting it melt into a golden crust. Optionally garnish with cilantro, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture and zest.
- Serving: Present immediately while steaming hot, showcasing this vibrant fusion of pasta and taco-inspired cuisine.
Notes
- Salt Water Strategically: Use kosher or sea salt when boiling pasta to enhance overall flavor depth and ensure perfectly seasoned noodles from the first step.
- Control Meat Moisture: Brown ground beef at medium-high heat, draining excess fat to prevent watery sauce and achieve a rich, concentrated meat flavor.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow residual heat to gently melt cheese for smooth, creamy texture without becoming grainy or separated.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning intensity by using mild, medium, or hot varieties to match personal heat preferences and dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg