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Taco Pasta Casserole

Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake

Jannah
Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake. This hearty and comforting dish combines tender ground meat, flavorful taco seasoning, tangy salsa, and creamy melted cheese.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican, Tex-Mex
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds ground meat beef, chicken, and/or turkey
  • 16 ounces pasta shells
  • 15.5 ounces salsa
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 2 packets 1 ounce each taco seasoning (or 1/4 cup if using bulk taco seasoning)
  • 1 1/2 cups water or milk
  • Optional: 1/2 cup cream cheese sour cream, or half and half for a creamier sauce

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside. If using a dutch oven, you can cook the pasta in it to make it a one-pot meal.
  • In a dutch oven or cast iron skillet, brown the ground meat over medium heat. Once cooked, drain any excess fat.
  • Add the cooked pasta to the drained meat in the dutch oven or transfer everything to a casserole dish if needed.
  • Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and pour water or milk over the mixture. Add the salsa.
  • Give everything a good stir to thoroughly mix the ingredients together. Top with the shredded cheese.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for approximately 18-22 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly.
  • Serve the Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake with your favorite taco-style toppings, such as diced tomatoes, sliced jalapenos, chopped cilantro, or a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

Feel free to experiment with different types of ground meat or meat alternatives to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
For a creamier sauce, you can add cream cheese, sour cream, or half and half to enhance the richness.
Customize the toppings based on your preferences or what you have available in your pantry.
Keyword Cheese, Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake, Ground Meat, One-Pot Meal, salsa