This easy cheesy taco pasta is made with a creamy ground beef mixture, Rotel and cheddar cheese. It’s like Hamburger Helper with a taco twist and ready in 30 minutes!
Cheesy Taco Ground Beef Pasta
Whip up this cheesy taco pasta recipe that combines a hearty pasta dish with the zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine. Perfect for busy weeknights, this 30-minute meal is similar to my hamburger helper but with a cheesy taco twist.
If you love the cheesy goodness of cheesy enchilada pasta, then this easy recipe with it’s creamy, meaty sauce will become a new favorite. My kids loved it with some crushed tortilla chips on top!
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef for the best flavor. The leaner your beef is the less draining I have to do which saves an extra step! Ground turkey is a great substitute.
- Seasoning: I used homemade taco seasoning but use your favorite store-bought.
- Rotel: This is a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles. I used original which has a small kick to it. Use mild if your family doesn’t like spice.
- Pasta shells: In my kitchen during testing, I used medium shells as the shape cradles the sauce perfectly. Penne would work as well as rotini.
- Creamy sauce: Cream cheese and sour cream.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese is great for a gooey, melty finish.
How to Make Taco Pasta
Start by cooking your pasta to al dente perfection. While pasta is cooking, brown the hamburger with onions, then stir in garlic, taco seasoning, and a touch of seasoning for depth.
Off the heat, blend in the cream cheese, sour cream, and a generous sprinkle of cheese until creamy.
Combine the meat mixture with the noodles, add a final layer of cheese, and let it melt into gooey goodness.
Cooking Tips
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce, ensuring it’s perfectly silky.
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature so it blends easily into the sauce.
- To prevent mushy pasta, cook it just until it’s al dente, as it will continue to soften when mixed with the sauce.
- If you love it cheesier, add another 1/2 cup cheese.
More Mexican recipes we love include this Mexican stuffed shells, taco salad and taco casserole!
More Taco Inspired Recipes
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Cheesy Taco Pasta
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean hamburger
- ½ onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning , more to taste
- 10 ounce can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chile)
- ½ pound medium pasta shells , about 2.5 cups dry
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- Salt and Pepper , to taste
Optional toppings: cilantro, tomatoes, avocados, sour cream, green onions
Instructions
- Cook the noodles al dente according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup water.
- Cook ground beef. While the noodles are cooking, cook one pound hamburger and 1/2 chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in 2 cloves garlic and 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning and cook for an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and stir in 10 ounces Rotel, 3 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup cheese. Add more seasoning to taste.
- Stir in 1/2 pound noodles and bring the heat to low. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and cover with the lid until melted. Then stir in the noodles.
- Top with your favorite toppings and serve while warm.
Notes
- Can sub ground turkey for hamburger meat.
- Rotini, macaroni or penne noodles will work too.
- Add extra spice with some jalepeno or chili powder.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, American, Beef, Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Kid-Friendly, Meal Prep, Mexican, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Delicious recipe and an easy weeknight dinner that we will make again! – Recipe Tester
It’s a great feeling to find a new menu item to add to the rotation!
This was an easy recipe to prepare. It tasted even better the next day! Great recipe!
I am so thankful found this recipe- actually all 3 kids ate it and loved it! That’s huge!
Such a perfect weeknight meal! My whole family loved this, and I love how easy it was to make!
This turned out so yummy! It truly was so easy to make. The whole family loved it.