Description
Sizzling Mexican-inspired Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta brings bold flavors dancing across your plate with hearty ground beef and melted cheese. Comfort meets zest in this quick skillet dinner perfect for hungry families craving delicious southwestern comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 2 cups rotini pasta
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare rotini pasta according to package directions at 212°F (boiling water), then drain and reserve.
- Heat large skillet over medium-high temperature, brown ground beef while continuously breaking into crumbles, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into beef, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce taco seasoning, beef broth, and tomato sauce to skillet, reducing heat and allowing mixture to simmer, developing rich flavors for 5-6 minutes.
- Fold cooked rotini into seasoned beef mixture, ensuring thorough integration of ingredients and even coating.
- Distribute shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly across surface of pasta and meat combination.
- Reduce heat to low, cover skillet, and allow cheese to melt completely, creating smooth and creamy texture, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for vibrant color and added flavor complexity.
- Serve immediately while cheese remains hot and pasta maintains optimal texture.
Notes
- Use rotini or any short pasta with ridges to help sauce cling better and maximize flavor absorption.
- Choose lean ground beef (90/10) to reduce excess grease while maintaining rich meaty texture.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting taco seasoning or using homemade blend for personalized heat.
- Replace beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives that work perfectly in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 597 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg