Taco Pasta- Taco Pasta is a creamy, spicy, and quick Italian-Mexican meal. When I want everyone at the table to be pleased, I make this spaghetti.
Ground beef, tomatoes, and plenty of cheese are mixed in a creamy sauce to make this quick taco pasta. For a fast and family-friendly meal alternative, garnish with your favorite taco toppings! One of my daughters’ favorite meals is creamy, cheesy taco spaghetti. I’m usually pleased to comply because it’s a filling supper that takes only around 20 minutes to prepare, making it ideal for a hectic night! The great part about this dish is that you can pile on as many toppings as you like for a full taco experience in spaghetti form. Take a look at this delicious Taco Pasta, which has taco-seasoned ground beef, taco sauce, pasta, corn, and plenty of cheese.
CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO MAKE TACO PASTA?
You’ll need ground beef, onions, pasta, tomatoes, cream cheese, and sour cream to create taco pasta. The ground beef, onions, tomatoes, and taco seasoning are cooked together to make the foundation of this dish.
After the meat mixture has finished cooking, add the cooked pasta to the pan. I used rotini, but any short pasta, such as penne, shells, or macaroni, will suffice. To save time, I prepare my pasta at the same time that I prepare my meat.
The sauce, which is made with cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese, is the following stage. Make careful to preserve some of the pasta water in case you need to thicken the sauce.
Finally, it’s time to add the garnishes! I kept it simple with a sprinkling of fresh tomatoes and cilantro, but there are plenty of other fantastic topping options:
- extra virgin olive oil
- soured milk
- guacamole
- tortilla slivers
- jalapenos, sliced
- cheese shredded
Taco Pasta—A Healthy One-Pan Recipe:
If you weren’t convinced that tacos and spaghetti were intended to be together before, I encourage you to reconsider your position.
I stumbled on a five-star home-cooked dinner while creating what has to be one of the most lowbrow interpretations of fusion food ever made.
I’m willing to wager my last box of penne that my Taco Pasta will never appear on a five-star menu, but that doesn’t worry me in the least. Both the front and back of the home around here gave it great marks.
This dish is a hit with the front-of-the-house diners (Ben and me). I’ve cooked it a few times now and enjoy how warm, filling, and nutritious it is.
The al dente noodles will fill you up, and the protein-packed black beans and chicken (my pick for the dish, though you can absolutely make this a beef taco pasta if you want) will satisfy your hunger.
Fresh veggies and whole grains will make you feel good about indulging in a healthy lunch.
Finally, the inclusion of Mexican spices, tomatoes, and salsa gives this Taco Pasta a well-rounded and purposeful flavor, rather than a supper prepared in a fit of exhaustion (though that is exactly what it is here for if you need it).This recipe is also approved by the back of the house (i.e. the chefs and dishwashers). It’s easy to make and doesn’t need a lot of cleanup.
Where Can I Get The Best Ground Beef For Pasta?
I usually use ground beef that is 90% lean. It’s delicious without being oily. Drain any extra grease before adding the pasta to the pan if you’re using ground beef with a greater fat level. Do you want to lose a few pounds? This meal can also be made using ground turkey or ground chicken.
Notes on the Go:
When substituting various types of pasta, be careful. Because elbow macaroni cooks fast, it’s ideal for taco pasta. However, if you use larger noodles, it may take a little longer to cook completely and may require additional water/liquid.
Use a LARGE nonstick skillet for this. Because there are so many components in this delicious recipe, it will not cook correctly in a tiny pan. If you don’t use a nonstick skillet, the spaghetti may cling to the bottom and burn.
If necessary, add more water: Every stove top is different, and the skillet you’re using is likely not the same as mine. As a result, check the pasta at the intervals I’ve specified, and don’t be afraid to add a little more water or boil the pasta for a few minutes longer if necessary. Simply sample a few noodles to check whether they require more cooking time (and if the water has evaporated, add in a bit more).
Seasonings should be tasted and adjusted as needed. You may need to add more salt or pepper at the end, depending on the taco seasoning you choose, so taste the meal and adjust spices as required.
Taco Seasoning Made at Home:
Here’s how I make my own taco seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, roasted
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper and 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
To make this Taco Pasta, combine together these seasonings in a small bowl and use instead of the taco spice package.
Adaptations to the Recipe:
We enjoy the recipe as is, but if you want to make it your own, here are a few suggestions.
Pasta with Dairy-Free Tacos. Remove the cheese from the recipe. Top the spaghetti with a hearty amount of avocado or prepared guacamole to ensure the spaghetti remains creamy and tasty without it.
Pasta with beef tacos. Substitute lean ground beef for the ground chicken (or turkey).
Pasta with Vegetable Tacos. Remove the meat from the recipe. For added variation, add one more can of black beans or pinto beans.
Penna Taco Pasta For this dish, I used twirly pasta (rotini), but any “short” pasta would suffice. Shells or rigatoni might also be used. Whole wheat pasta, which is stronger in protein and minerals than standard white pasta, is recommended to make the recipe healthier.
Pasta with Extra Spicy Tacos. Make a spicy salsa. With the other spices, add 14 tsp cayenne.
Pasta with Mild Tacos This dish isn’t extremely hot as written, but if you’re worried, use a mild salsa. You may also reduce the amount of cumin and chili powder used.
MORE DELICIOIUS RECIPES HERE:
Baked Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Did you make this recipe ? be sure to follow me on Pinterest, rate the recipe and tag #saltedcaramelgirl on Instagram!
Taco Pasta
Taco Pasta- Taco Pasta is a creamy, spicy, and quick Italian-Mexican meal. When I want everyone at the table to be pleased, I make this spaghetti. Ground beef, tomatoes, and plenty of cheese are mixed in a creamy sauce to make this quick taco pasta.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground poultry (chicken or turkey)
- 1 diced yellow onion
- 1 diced green bell pepper
- 1 chopped red bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 3/4 cup water + more water as needed
- 1 cup medium or mild salsa, prepared
- 1 tomato sauce can
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat uncooked pasta (rotini, fusilli, penne, or shells)
- 1 can washed and drained reduced-sodium black beans
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, split
- Serving suggestions:
- avocado, sliced
- Plain Greek yogurt with no added fat
- fresh cilantro, chopped
- a jalapeno
- Toppings on tacos that you enjoy
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a big, deep pan with a cover (or a Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, onion, and red and green bell peppers to the heated but not smoking oil. Brown the meat, breaking it up with a spoon, for approximately 8 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooked through and the onions are transparent.
Cook for 30 seconds, or until the garlic is aromatic, then add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Combine the water, salsa, tomato sauce, pasta, and beans in a large mixing bowl.
Reduce the heat to a low setting and cover the pan. Allow to boil slowly, stirring periodically, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed (additional liquid will absorb as it cools). While the pasta is cooking, keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out. If that's the case, add a little water at a time to keep it wet and simmering.
Take the pan off the heat and toss in half of the cheese, then top with the remaining cheese. Serve immediately with your preferred toppings.
Notes
If you'd rather make your own taco seasoning mix, combine the ingredients listed below and use instead of the packet:
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, roasted
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper and 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
If you don't have a nonstick skillet, you'll have to stir the spaghetti every 3-4 minutes to avoid it sticking. Keep an eye on the liquid level throughout the simmering stage and add up to 14 cup water if the water has evaporated before the pasta is tender.
Depending on the salsa and taco sauce used, this meal can be rather hot. If you're concerned about the heat, taste both ingredients before using them in this recipe.
Leave a Reply