Description
This delicious and easy Cheesy Taco Pasta recipe combines the bold flavors of taco seasoning with tender pasta and melty Mexican cheese for a comforting 30-minute dinner your family will love. Ground beef is cooked with authentic taco spices and mixed with rotini pasta, salsa, and plenty of cheese to create a creamy, flavorful one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rotini (or any pasta type available)
Protein
- 1 pound Ground Beef (or ground turkey/plant-based alternative)
Seasoning & Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning (homemade for freshness)
- 1 cup Salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
- 1 cup Water (optional if using liquid salsa)
Cheese
- 1.5 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese (or cheddar/Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by boiling water in a large pot and cook rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside to be added later.
- Cook the ground beef: In the same pot, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until it is fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
- Add the taco seasoning: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef, add a splash of water, and stir well. Cook for a few minutes until the water evaporates and the beef is evenly coated with the spices.
- Combine pasta and salsa: Add the cooked rotini and salsa to the seasoned beef in the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate the cheese: Stir in 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese while the mixture is still warm until melted and creamy. Remove the pot from heat.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top for extra cheesiness, then dish out generous portions into bowls and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for ground beef if preferred.
- Use your favorite salsa heat level—mild, medium, or hot—to suit your taste.
- If your salsa is not very liquid, adding the optional cup of water helps the seasoning coat the meat evenly.
- For a fresh twist, garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
