Description
Creamy cheesy beef taco pasta delivers Mexican-inspired comfort in one skillet. Quick weeknight dinner combines zesty ground beef, melted cheese, and pasta for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) ground beef
- 1 box small pasta shells
- 1 block Velveeta cheese
- 1 handful sharp cheddar cheese
Seasoning:
- 2 packs taco seasoning
Liquid/Canned Ingredients:
- 1 can original Rotel
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
Instructions
- Sear the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until no pink remains. Thoroughly drain excess fat.
- Simultaneously, boil water in a separate pot and cook pasta shells according to package directions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta completely.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low and add Velveeta cheese and milk. Gently whisk until cheese transforms into a silky, uniform sauce with no lumps.
- Incorporate cooked pasta shells and browned beef into the molten cheese sauce, stirring carefully to ensure even distribution.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning across the mixture, then add Rotel tomatoes. Stir vigorously to integrate all flavors thoroughly.
- Scatter sharp cheddar cheese across the top, allowing residual heat to melt the shreds into a tantalizing golden layer.
- Transfer immediately to serving dishes while piping hot, garnishing with optional fresh cilantro or green onions for added zest.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and make the dish healthier.
- Replace Velveeta with natural cheddar or monterey jack for a more artisan cheese flavor profile.
- Experiment with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter protein option.
- Control sodium by using low-sodium taco seasoning and reduced-fat cheese varieties.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg