If you love tacos and pasta, then you’re in for a treat with this recipe for Taco Pasta Casserole! This hearty casserole dish combines tender pasta shells with savory ground meat, zesty salsa, and a creamy blend of cheese and spices. It’s the perfect meal for any occasion, whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just looking for a comforting dinner for your family. And with its easy preparation and delicious flavors, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection!
My husband and I are both huge fans of tacos and pasta, so when we first came across this recipe for Taco Pasta Casserole, we knew we had to give it a try. From the first bite, we were hooked! The blend of spices and salsa gave the dish a bold and zesty flavor, while the creamy cheese and tender pasta shells added a comforting and satisfying texture. Since then, we’ve made this recipe countless times and it’s become a staple in our household. Whether we’re entertaining guests or just enjoying a cozy night in, Taco Pasta Casserole always hits the spot!
“Why This Taco Pasta Casserole is the Ultimate Comfort Food”
- A fusion of two classic dishes: tacos and pasta
- Bold and zesty flavor from the use of salsa and taco seasoning
- Can be made with ground beef, chicken, turkey or a combination of all three
- Optional addition of cream cheese, sour cream, or half & half for a creamier sauce
- Bakes to perfection in the oven, creating a crispy golden-brown cheese topping
- Perfect for feeding a crowd or for a cozy family dinner
- Easy to prepare and requires only one pot
Ingredients:
- 1 jar (15.5 oz) salsa
- 1 ½ cups water or milk
- 16 oz pasta shells
- Optional: ½ cup cream cheese, sour cream, or half & half
- 2 lbs ground meat (beef, chicken, and/or turkey)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 packets (1 oz each) of taco seasoning (or ¼ cup if using bulk taco seasoning)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the cooked pasta back to the pot with the ground meat.
- In a small bowl, mix the water or milk with the taco seasoning. Pour the mixture into the pot with the pasta and meat.
- Add the salsa and stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Optional: stir in cream cheese, sour cream, or half & half for a creamier sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the pasta.
- Place the pot in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
- Remove the pot from the oven and add your favorite toppings (such as chopped tomatoes, cilantro, or avocado).
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes:
- You can use any type of ground meat or a combination of meats for this recipe.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your liking.
Taco Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 jar 15.5 oz salsa
- 1 ½ cups water or milk
- 16 oz pasta shells
- Optional: ½ cup cream cheese sour cream, or half & half
- 2 lbs ground meat beef, chicken, and/or turkey
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 2 packets 1 oz each of taco seasoning (or ¼ cup if using bulk taco seasoning)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the cooked pasta back to the pot with the ground meat.
- In a small bowl, mix the water or milk with the taco seasoning. Pour the mixture into the pot with the pasta and meat.
- Add the salsa and stir until the pasta is well coated.
- Optional: stir in cream cheese, sour cream, or half & half for a creamier sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the pasta.
- Place the pot in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
- Remove the pot from the oven and add your favorite toppings (such as chopped tomatoes, cilantro, or avocado).
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to adjust the amount of taco seasoning to your liking.
