Description
Packed with zesty Mexican-inspired flavors, loaded taco pasta bake delivers a comforting dinner that brings your favorite taco ingredients together in one cheesy, satisfying casserole. Grab your skillet and get ready to create a crowd-pleasing meal that will have your family asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cup pasta
- 2 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 cup salsa
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro or green onions, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Boil 3 cups of pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Drain completely and set aside.
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Incorporate 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet. Break meat into small crumbles and cook for 6-7 minutes until fully browned.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet after browning the beef.
- Mix 1 packet of taco seasoning into the beef, stirring to coat meat completely.
- Fold in 1 cup corn kernels, 1 can black beans, and 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies.
- Simmer the meat mixture for 2-3 minutes to blend flavors.
- Combine cooked pasta, meat mixture, and 1 cup salsa in a large mixing bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper to your preferred taste.
- Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly across the top.
- Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and top with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions before serving.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to make this dish lighter and more diet-friendly.
- Drain canned beans and corn thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the pasta soggy.
- For extra flavor, toast your taco seasoning in the skillet with the meat for a deeper, richer taste profile.
- Prepare this dish ahead of time by assembling everything except the final cheese topping, then refrigerate and bake when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg