Description
Taco pasta bake brings together your favorite Mexican-inspired flavors in one satisfying casserole that comes together faster than a weeknight dinner decision. Melted cheese, seasoned ground beef, and pasta create a crowd-pleasing meal guaranteed to make your dinner table happy.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups pasta
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetable and Dairy Additions:
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the oven to precisely 350°F, preparing a baking dish for your hearty pasta creation.
- Boil 2 cups of pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente, then drain completely.
- Brown 1 pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Sprinkle the entire packet of taco seasoning over the beef, stirring to coat every morsel thoroughly.
- Pour the whole can of diced tomatoes into the skillet, mixing with the seasoned meat.
- Add 1 cup of black beans and 1 cup of corn to the skillet, combining all ingredients until heated through.
- Fold the cooked pasta and ½ cup sour cream into the beef mixture, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it in an even layer.
- Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded cheese across the top, covering the entire surface.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 22-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and edges turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set the flavors.
- Garnish with ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro just before serving.
Notes
- Check pasta doneness before mixing to prevent overcooking and mushy texture.
- Drain excess liquid from tomatoes and beans to keep the pasta bake from becoming watery.
- For a healthier version, substitute ground turkey or plant-based crumbles instead of beef.
- Choose full-fat sour cream for the richest, creamiest result and most authentic flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg