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Taco Pasta Casserole

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.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

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)

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the cooked pasta back to the pot with the ground meat.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the water or milk with the taco seasoning. Pour the mixture into the pot with the pasta and meat.
  6. Add the salsa and stir until the pasta is well coated.
  7. Optional: stir in cream cheese, sour cream, or half & half for a creamier sauce.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the pasta.
  9. Place the pot in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
  10. Remove the pot from the oven and add your favorite toppings (such as chopped tomatoes, cilantro, or avocado).
  11. 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.