Mexican Pasta
This effortless, flavorful Mexican Pasta comes together in 20 minutes flat! Taco seasoned beef is combined with tender noodles in a creamy, cheesy sauce that is so delicious. Your whole family will love this dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
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Incredibly tasty Mexican Pasta has all of the wonderful taco flavors we love, but in pasta form! Loaded with seasoned noodles, salsa and plenty of cheese, this dish makes one of the best comforting family-friendly meals.
My family loves a classic taco dinner like these crispy beef tacos, but sometimes we crave pasta with that same irresistible taste. And this Mexican pasta recipe is highly requested from the whole family. Even picky kids love this meal!
Why you should make this recipe
- Simple ingredients: This recipe only requires 6 key ingredients that are mostly kitchen staples, inexpensive and easy to find. They all cook together to make an amazing dinner!
- Delicious flavors: You have all the flavors of tacos but in a pasta dish! Seasoned beef, Mexican spices, salsa and melty cheese come together for a dish that you won’t be able to stop eating.
- Family favorite: Everyone loves cheesy beef pasta! This recipe is sure to become one of your family’s most requested weeknight meals.
Ingredients needed
This Mexican taco pasta recipe includes all of the typical ingredients that are found in beef tacos but you have pasta instead of taco shells and cream to make a creamy, dreamy sauce. Here’s the lineup:
- Pasta: Rotini is what you see pictured but any short pasta will work.
- Beef: We like to use lean ground beef because it’s not overly greasy, but still tastes great. If you use ground beef with a higher fat content, you’ll want to drain off any excess grease after it’s cooked.
- Spices: Use your favorite packet of taco seasoning or make homemade taco seasoning with spices like cumin, chili powder and oregano.
- Salsa: Be sure to choose mild salsa, if you’re serving anyone sensitive to spice.
- Water: You’ll need to add about 1/2 cup of water for the perfect saucy consistency.
- Cheese: Cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese is my favorite in this recipe.
- Cream: Just 1/4 cup heavy cream is all you need for a rich creaminess.
- Salt & pepper: To bring out all of the delicious flavors.
- Garnish: For a pop of color, finish the dish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley.
How to make this recipe
Boil the pasta, brown the meat then mix everything together. This is one of those meals that’s so good, you’ll want to make on repeat! If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll be begging for it all the time. Here’s how it all comes together:
- Cook the pasta: Bring water to boil to cook the pasta. Salt it and cook pasta until al dente.
- Sauté the meat: While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking apart as you go. Once thoroughly cooked, drain meat if needed.
- Season: Add taco seasoning, salsa and water to the pan with the cooked beef. Simmer until pasta is finished cooking.
- Combine and serve: Once pasta is cooked, drain well and pour into skillet. Top with cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and noodles are coated in sauce. Garnish and serve immediately.
Helpful tips
Even though this recipe is really quite simple, here are a few tips for the best results.
- Heat level: If you’d like to keep this mildly spiced, be sure to choose mild taco seasoning and mild salsa. On the other hand, if you want to make it spicy, use hot taco seasoning and medium or hot salsa.
- Freshly grated cheese: If you have the time, we recommend grating your own cheese. The bagged pre-shredded cheeses are coated in anti-caking agents and just don’t melt as smoothly.
- Toppings: Take this to the next level with Mexican toppings like avocado, crushed tortilla chips, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños or diced tomatoes.
Variations
Mexican pasta is super versatile and easy to customize with different ingredients, depending on what you like and have on hand. Here are some options:
- Pasta: Try using any short pasta like bowties, elbow macaroni, penne or shells.
- Ground meat: Try ground turkey or chicken instead of beef, if you’d like.
- Cheese: Use any favorite cheese – cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack cheese, or pepper jack are all great options.
- Other add-ins: Some other Mexican ingredients that would be delicious are diced green chilies, black beans, corn, sautéed onion or red bell pepper.
Serving suggestions
This easy pasta dish is great on its own, but you can also serve it with a variety of side dishes! We love it served with a simple salad and crusty garlic bread! I typically toss some mixed greens, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and croutons with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Storage recommendations
- Storing leftovers: Place any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to about 4 to 5 days.
- To reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stove. The noodles may have absorbed some of the liquid, leaving it dried out. Feel free to add a bit of water, oil, beef broth or chicken broth before heating.
- To freeze: Place leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More pasta recipes
Looking for more easy pasta recipes? Give these family-friendly recipes a try:
- Italian Sausage Pasta
- Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- Crockpot Lasagna
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Creamy Pasta Sauce
- Lemon Pasta
Get all of my pasta recipes here!
If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Mexican Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound short pasta, we like rotini in this recipe
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups salsa, use any favorite and choose mild if you’re sensitive to spice
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt & pepper to taste
- cilantro or parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Bring water to boil to cook the pasta. Salt it and cook pasta until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, cook ground beef, breaking apart as you go. Once thoroughly cooked, drain meat if needed.
- Add taco seasoning, salsa and water to the pan with the cooked beef. Simmer until pasta is finished cooking.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain well and pour into skillet. Top with cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and noodles are coated in sauce. Garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
- Storing leftovers: Place any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to about 4 to 5 days.
- To reheat: Reheat in the microwave or in a pot on the stove. The noodles may have absorbed some of the liquid, leaving it dried out. Feel free to add a bit of water, oil, beef broth or chicken broth before heating.
- To freeze: Place leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Did you make this recipe?
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Very good recipe and very tasty in short time.u
Thanks so much! glad you enjoyed!