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    Home » Main Dish » Cheesy Taco Pasta

    Cheesy Taco Pasta

    Published: Jul 16, 2021 · Modified: Mar 24, 2022 by Jennie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This Cheesy Taco Pasta is SO simple to make and SO delicious! With just 5 ingredients this recipe is made in less than 30 minutes and one that your entire family will love. 

    Cheesy Taco Pasta in white bowl

    It's Taco Tuesday every day in my house!

    If you have been around my blog for know then you know how much I love taco, taco anything!

    I've made so many fun different tacos meals and since the kids even love tacos I'm not stopping anytime soon! This recipe for Cheesy Taco Pasta is so simple is embarrassing.

    If you love taco night like we do make sure to check out our recipes for Taco Soup, Taco Spaghetti, and this amazing Taco Casserole.

    How to make Cheesy Taco Pasta:

    I only used 5 ingredients and it took me just under 30 minutes to make it. It doesn't get much better than that!

    Boil your noodles, cook your meat, then mix all your remaining ingredients in with the noodles and meat!

    Ingredients:

    • Rotini
    • Ground Beef
    • Water
    • Taco Seasoning
    • Salsa
    • Shredded Mexican Cheese (divided in half)

    ingredients for cheesy taco pasta

    Directions:

    Step One: Get started by preparing the rotini pasta to package directions. Drain and set aside.

    Tip: This recipe works well with just about any pasta. If you have another type on hand feel fresh to use that instead.

    dropping your noodles into the boiling water

    Step Two: In a large pot cook and crumble ground beef until fully cooked. Drain fat then return to stove top and season with taco seasoning and water.

    adding water and taco seasoning to cooked ground beef

    Step Three: Add cooked pasta to pot with cooked and seasoned ground beef along with salsa and mix well.

    adding salsa to cooked noodles and ground beef

    Step Four: Add 1 ½ cup cheese to pot and mix until melted. Remove pot from heat and add remaining cheese to the top and allow to melt. Serve and enjoy!

    topping the cheesy taco pasta with shredded cheese

    Tools you need to make this pasta:

    Most of you know that I love to use one tool for most of my meals. I love One Pot meals or things in my Slow Cooker. This meal is only two items so it still fits my bill of easy to make and easy to clean up!

    1. Large Pot for the pasta.
    2. Large Skillet for the ground beef, and large enough to add the noodles once they are cooked.

     

     

    Use Homemade Taco Seasoning if you would like!

    I use taco seasoning all the time, and because of that I love to have my own made and on hand. You can find my Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe by clicking the link!

    Storing the leftovers:

    This classic meal, which is thousand times better than those boxed Hamburger Helpers makes are large portion, so lunch for the next couple of days is already made!

    Once the meal has fully cooled store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 5-7 days.

    Just scoop out what you want to eat and microwave for about 1.5-2 minutes to reheat.

    Add some extra shredded cheese on top before microwaving for some extra cheesiness!

    If you tried this recipe or any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and YOUTUBE.

    I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.

    Show me what you are making, tag us or use hashtag #TDOARH

     

    Cheesy Taco Pasta

    Cheesy Taco Pasta

    Jennie Duncan
    This Cheesy Taco Pasta is SO simple to make and SO delicious! With just 5 ingredients this recipe is made in less than 30 minutes and one that your entire family will love.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Servings 5 servings
    Calories 592 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 oz Rotini
    • 1 pound Ground beef
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 oz Taco seasoning
    • 1 ½ cups Salsa
    • 2 cups Shredded mexican cheese (divided)

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare rotini pasta to package directions. Drain and set aside.
    • In a large pot cook and crumble ground beef until fully cooked. Drain fat as need.
    • Add taco seasoning and water to the cooked ground beef. Mix together and cook until water is gone.
    • Add cooked pasta to pot with cooked and seasoned ground beef along with salsa and mix well.
    • Add 1 ½ cup cheese to pot and mix until melted. Remove pot from heat and add remaining cheese to the top and allow to melt. Serve and enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 592kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 33gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 1382mgPotassium: 606mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1200IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 344mgIron: 3.3mg
    Keyword Cheesy Taco Pasta
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Comments

    1. Lauren

      January 19, 2022 at 9:55 am

      It was good but next time I will use less salsa than suggested because it made it a little spicy even though I used mild salsa. It was really good though and I liked that it only required a few ingredients and was quick for those nights you just don’t have time for cooking.

      Reply
    2. Melissa

      December 02, 2021 at 7:20 pm

      I made it just right and it was delicious!! my husband loved it!!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        December 03, 2021 at 2:50 pm

        So happy to hear that!!

        Reply
    3. Josie

      July 15, 2021 at 12:48 am

      Love this recipe! Do you have any advice on how to make it vegetarian friendly??

      Reply
      • Jennie

        July 15, 2021 at 2:13 pm

        You can replace the ground beef with tofu, or just not use meat at all. If you choose to not use any meat, just cook your noodles, then add the remaining ingredients to that pot and mix it all up!

        Reply
    4. Pam Wanless

      February 20, 2021 at 10:31 pm

      My husband and I love this!!! I added black beans and corn and made it even better. My husband puts sour cream on top and crunched up corn chips. So yummy!!!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        February 24, 2021 at 8:06 pm

        So glad y'all liked it!

        Reply
    5. Kenley

      December 01, 2020 at 6:21 pm

      What could I substitute the salsa with? I don’t like spicy stuff

      Reply
      • Jennie

        December 03, 2020 at 2:03 pm

        Hi Kenley, You can always use diced tomatoes instead.

        Reply
      • Rachel

        February 27, 2022 at 4:08 pm

        How would you freeze this?

        Reply
    6. Debbie

      June 09, 2020 at 4:28 pm

      I'm making this tonight only with elbow macaroni! Has anyone tried adding a little sour cream? I'm thinking I might try that!

      Reply
      • Jennie

        July 07, 2020 at 3:05 pm

        Yea you could definitely add some sour cream. It would make it a tad creamier.

        Reply
    7. Ashley

      February 11, 2020 at 1:24 pm

      What is a good side dish to go with this?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        March 18, 2020 at 1:47 pm

        I typically serve it with a salad or some veggies.

        Reply
    8. Amber

      September 21, 2019 at 9:11 pm

      Made this before it was huge hit... Tonight trying it with chicken 😍

      Reply
      • Jennie

        September 22, 2019 at 4:12 pm

        So glad you like it!!

        Reply
    9. Ursula

      June 26, 2019 at 11:36 am

      Can I save and reheat?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        June 27, 2019 at 1:53 pm

        Yes, this is great to make ahead of time and freeze or refrigerate for later.

        Reply
    10. Kristen

      March 27, 2019 at 11:46 am

      Do you add water to the taco seasoning like when you make tacos, or just add the taco seasoning?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        March 27, 2019 at 12:35 pm

        Hi Kristen, I do not add water. The salsa usually does the trick and gets it all mixed in!

        Reply
        • KOConnell

          August 17, 2022 at 6:05 am

          I’m going to try this- we like anything with taco seasoning. But fyi, your recipe does list 1/2 cup of water added.

          Reply
    11. Leesha

      September 05, 2018 at 2:17 pm

      What kind of salsa do you use?

      Reply
      • Jennie

        September 05, 2018 at 2:47 pm

        Hi Leesha, I usually use a mild chinky salsa. I believe it was a Walmart brand. Any type you like will work! Hope you enjoy the recipe.

        Reply
    12. Heather

      July 23, 2018 at 9:26 pm

      Thanks for the recipe. This was easy to make, not expensive at all, and my husband had two bowls; even my four year old ate it (just the noodles, but hey I count that). We'll definitely be having this again.

      Reply
      • Jennie

        July 23, 2018 at 9:38 pm

        Yah!! That makes me so happy to hear Heather!!

        Reply
    13. amelia valey

      July 12, 2017 at 1:57 am

      omg makes me melted and tempting taste 😀
      maybe I'll try this one, soon

      Reply

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