Description
A quick and delicious cheesy taco pasta recipe that combines savory ground beef, zesty taco seasoning, and melted Mexican cheese with tender rotini pasta. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner, this 30-minute meal is hearty, flavorful, and easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini (or any pasta type available)
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound Ground Beef (or ground turkey/plant-based alternative)
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning (homemade for freshness)
- 1 cup Water (optional if using liquid salsa)
- 1 cup Salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
Cheese
- 1.5 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese (or cheddar/Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling water in a large pot, then cook rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside for later.
- Brown the Beef: In the same pot, cook and crumble the ground beef over medium heat. Stir until fully browned and cooked through, then drain any excess fat.
- Season the Beef: Stir in the taco seasoning along with a splash of water, cooking until the water evaporates and the beef is well-coated with seasoning.
- Combine Pasta and Salsa: Add the cooked rotini and salsa to the seasoned beef in the pot. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Add and Melt Cheese: Incorporate 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese into the mixture and stir until it’s melted and creamy. Remove from heat and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Serve: Dish out generous portions into bowls and enjoy your cheesy taco pasta dinner!
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Adjust the salsa heat level to your preference—mild, medium, or hot.
- If using salsa with extra liquid, you can omit the added water to avoid excess moisture.
- Try adding chopped onions or bell peppers when browning the beef for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Use freshly made taco seasoning for better flavor control and less sodium.
