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Best Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe

Best Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe

When Italy meets Mexico, Cheesy Taco Pasta happens!
4 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 378kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz pasta shells
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ½ cup onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1- 2.5 oz packet of taco seasoning
  • 1-15 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserve one cup of cooking water, drain, and reserve.
  • While the pasta is cooking, make the meat sauce: in a large skillet, over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef along with the onion and garlic until fully cooked.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, taco seasoning, and reserved pasta cooking water to the meat. Cook for 2 minutes, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Mix in one cup of shredded cheddar and stir until melted.
  • Pour the meat sauce over the cooked pasta, stir until well combined and serve hot with freshly chopped cilantro on top.

Notes

  1. Don’t forget to save the pasta cooking water so the meat mixture can be “saucy”.
  2. Do not overcook the pasta shells. Cook them al dente.
  3. If feeding children, you might want to skip the jalapenos!

Nutrition

Calories: 378kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g