Creamy Cheesy Taco Pasta
A warm and comforting creamy cheesy taco pasta recipe that combines melted cheese with taco spices and tender pasta for an easy, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner ready in about 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni or small shells
- 1 pound lean ground beef (can substitute ground turkey or chicken)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 pound of lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the browned beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
- Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning over the beef mixture. Stir well to coat evenly. Add the chopped jalapeño if using and cook for another minute.
- Pour in 1 cup of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes to meld flavors.
- Lower heat to medium-low. Add 4 ounces of softened cream cheese in chunks. Stir continuously until melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and silky. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the cheesy taco sauce. Mix gently to coat every noodle. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid lumps. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Adjust salt carefully due to taco seasoning. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For vegetarian, substitute ground beef with mushrooms, black beans, or tofu.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: taco pasta, creamy pasta, cheesy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, easy recipe, ground beef pasta