Our taco pasta is the perfect meal to get you out of the kitchen in a reasonable amount of time, a great meal on the table, and everyone to the table with smiles on their faces!
If you’re the kinda person who craves Mexican recipes but can’t get enough pasta, then this is the recipe for you. Your family will ask for this recipe to be put in the weekly dinner after just one bite.
Looking for more delicious taco-inspired pasta dishes. I hope you’ll try our taco pasta salad. It’s a crazy huge family hit and is wonderful to take to potlucks. Taco spaghetti is a great twist on spaghetti. Taco casserole and taco lasagna bring all the delicious flavor of tacos to a family-friendly casserole dish!
Our pasta takes a simple weeknight meal and makes it a hit with the whole family. Try it on your next taco Tuesday
Let’s make this pasta!
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE
Taco pasta combines two all-time favorites into one easy meal. You don’t have to choose between pasta or tacos – this dish covers all the bases. I love that taco pasta:
- Comes together in less than half an hour
- Uses several pantry ingredients you likely already have
- My whole family really loves it
TACO PASTA INGREDIENTS
- Beef: I use 80/20% ground beef.
- Pasta: I like elbows in this dish. Use a high-quaility brand such as Barilla.
- Onion: I use yellow onion.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic for best-tasting results.
- Tomatoes: I use petite diced canned tomatoes.
- Green Chiles: Use mild green chiles to keep this dish kid-friendly.
- Enchilada Sauce: Again, I use mild sauce for the kids. If you have time. try our homemade enchilada sauce.
- Creamed Corn: This adds moisture and sweetness to this pasta dish.
- Taco Seasoning: I use mild.
- Oregano: While we use taco seasoning for our main seasoning, oregano adds even more flavor.
- Salt + Pepper: Foundational seasoning.
- Cheese: I like to use the packaged Mexican cheeses in this dish. If you object to it, use Jack or Pepperjack instead.
- Cream Cheese: Adds richness to the sauce.
- Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and a bit of tang!
TACO PASTA TIPS
- Meat: We make this with ground beef, but ground turkey will be just as delicious. You can even make a vegetarian version that will be packed with flavor.
- Taco seasoning: Many taco seasoning mixes have salt as one of the main ingredients. To better control the sodium content of your pasta, choose a spice blend that is labeled as low-sodium. Or make your own mixture with spices like onion powder, garlic powder, and dried pepper powder, such as ancho or chipotle.
- Cilantro: As much as 14 percent of the population dislikes the taste of cilantro. This is due to a genetic variation that can make cilantro taste soapy to some people. If your family really doesn’t like this herb, leave it out of the pasta. Try fresh parsley and a pinch of cumin to add a bright flavor instead.
- Green chiles: Our recipe calls for mild chilies to add a little zest without much heat. If you prefer more spice, substitute an equivalent amount of fresh jalapeño or poblano pepper.
STORING + FREEZING + MAKE-AHEAD
- Storing: If you have leftovers of taco pasta, they are best stored in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a resealable plastic bag. This will keep in the fridge for 3 days.
- Can You Freeze This? Sour cream and cream cheese tend to separate in the freezer. Noodles can get mushy when frozen, thawed, and reheated. We don’t recommend freezing the finished dish, but you can make the meat sauce (steps 2 and 3) in advance and freeze it.
- Make Ahead Tips: To prep this in advance, make the meat sauce as outlined in steps 2 and 3. It can be kept for a day or two in the fridge. For the best flavor and freshness, add in the noodles, sour cream, cream cheese, etc. (steps 4-6) the day you plan to eat the taco pasta.
- Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.
HOW TO MAKE TACO PASTA
- Cook the ground beef and onion. Add the garlic.
- Add in the diced tomatoes, diced chilies, enchilada sauce, creamed corn, taco seasoning, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Simmer.
- Stir in cream cheese, and sour cream, and gently simmer.
- Mix and add Mexican cheese. Pour the sauce over pasta and toss until well coated.
- Top with cilantro and cheese and serve.
***See the full instructions below.
MORE YUMMY PASTA RECIPES
TRIED THIS RECIPE?
Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taco Pasta
Taco pasta is the ultimate mash-up of two favorites: pasta and tacos. The noodles absorb the seasoning and create a meal for the whole family.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 16 ounces dried elbow pasta
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, including juice
- 1 (7-ounce) can mild diced green chiles, including juice
- 1 (10-ounce) can enchilada sauce
- 1 (14.75-ounce) can creamed corn
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1 (8-ounce) package Mexican cheese blend
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cute into cubes and at room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Toppings:
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Mexican cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta (16 ounces) according to the package directions and drain; Add drained pasta back to the pasta pot; set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground beef (1 pound) and onion, over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Add the garlic (1 tablespoon) and continue to cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add in the diced tomatoes (1 can), diced chilies (1 can), enchilada sauce (1 can), creamed corn (1 can), taco seasoning (1 packet), salt (1/4 teaspoon), pepper (1/4 teaspoon), and dried oregano (2 teaspoons). Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in Mexican cheese (1 pack), cream cheese (8 ounces), and sour cream, and gently simmer until cheese and cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended.
- Pour the sauce over pasta and toss until well coated. Spoon onto individual plates and top with cilantro and cheese as desired.
Fans Also Made:
Notes
- Meat: We make this with ground beef, but ground turkey will be just as delicious. You can even make a vegetarian version that will be packed with flavor.
- Taco seasoning: Many taco seasoning mixes have salt as one of the main ingredients. To better control the sodium content of your pasta, choose a spice blend that is labeled as low-sodium. Or make your own mixture with spices like onion powder, garlic powder, and dried pepper powder, such as ancho or chipotle.
- Cilantro: As much as 14 percent of the population dislikes the taste of cilantro. This is due to a genetic variation that can make cilantro taste soapy to some people. If your family really doesn’t like this herb, leave it out of the pasta. Try fresh parsley and a pinch of cumin to add a bright flavor instead.
- Green chiles: Our recipe calls for mild chilies to add a little zest without much heat. If you prefer more spice, substitute an equivalent amount of fresh jalapeño or poblano pepper.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 of the recipe | Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 2.6mg
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I'D LOVE TO SEE!Tag @GonnaWantSeconds or #gonnawantseconds on Instagram!
© Gonna Want Seconds. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.
Could I also use spaghetti noodles? Want soooo much to make this very soon. Thanks for the AWESOME sounding recipe!!!!!!
Thanks, Jan
Yes, you can use spaghetti, Jan. Enjoy!
We also have taco spaghetti if you wanna try that out too 🙂
Can I use rotel instead of diced tomatoes
Hi Haley! Yes, you can use Rotel. 😀 Happy cooking!
When do you add the chilies and do you drain them first? This sounds like a great recipe! Thanks!
Hey Paulla, I just update and clarified the recipe a little. You add the chilies right after the tomatoes. I hope you enjoy the taco pasta!
OMGGGGGG imma have to try this with some cauliflower….
Yay! That sounds perfect! Enjoy 🙂
How much cream cheese?
Hi Sally! 4 ounces <3
Thanks for sharing. I’m going to try.