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Cheesy Taco Pasta Casserole is a creamy, flavorful, easy dinner recipe. You can make this pasta meal and have it on the table in less than an hour! Made with simple ingredients like ground beef, Rotel or salsa, taco seasoning, pasta and cheese, this is a great comfort food dinner, and an affordable meal to make.

Taco Pasta on a white plate

Taco Pasta

Who had Hamburger Helper growing up? We did! This recipe is similar, and gives all the feels of that nostalgic meal of our childhoods.

pasta dish on a white plate.

As you can see in the image below, the ingredients are simple and easy to find. Not to mention, affordable.

This easy Taco Pasta recipe is versatile, so you can make it with what you have or what you prefer.

Cheesy Taco Pasta Casserole ingredients shot
The ingredients in this easy Taco Pasta recipe are simple and give this casserole great flavor.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ground Beef โ€“ Use ground turkey in place of the beef.
Mexican Blend Cheese โ€“ You can substitute with pepper Jack, cheddar, or Monterey Jack.
Rotel โ€“ Use 2 cups of your favorite salsa instead.
Rotini Pasta โ€“ Use any pasta shape that can hold the sauce, medium Shells are a great option.
Additions โ€“ Try adding some canned black beans that have been rinsed & drained, corn kernels, or even sliced black olives.

How to Make Taco Pasta Recipe

3 image collage of cooking ground beef with onion and adding seasonings and broth.
1) Brown Ground beef and onion in a skillet. Meanwhile, cook pasta to al dente.
2) Add minced Garlic, Taco Seasoning, Rotel Diced Tomatoes w/Green Chilies, Tomato Sauce and Beef Broth. Stir.
3) Add in the cooked pasta.

3 image collage of pasta with ingredients added and in a baking dish.
4) Stir sour cream into pasta / meat sauce.
5) Transfer to a sprayed 9×13-inch baking dish.
6) Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top and bake until heated through and cheese is melted.
7) Serve with chips, green onions, avocado, or any garnish you like.

forkful of pasta with cheese pull.

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Here are some delicious easy dinner ideas:
Ravioli Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
Easy Crock Pot Beef Stew
Air Fryer Pork Loin Roast

Don’t Forget About Dessert!

Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Easy Peach Potluck Cake

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If you make this Cheesy Taco Pasta Casserole, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I’d like to know your thoughts!

Cheesy Taco Pasta Casserole on a white plate
5 from 1 vote

Cheesy Taco Pasta Casserole

By Sandy Clifton
Cheesy Taco Pasta Casserole is a delicious easy recipe with simple ingredients. The rotini pasta holds the flavorful sauce. A great weeknight dinner.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 6

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish
  • Skillet
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Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces Rotini Pasta
  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • 1 Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 1-ounce packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1 10-ounce can *Rotel Diced Tomatoes w/Green Chilies, undrained
  • 1 15-ounce can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 cup Beef Broth
  • 2 cups Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
  • ยฝ cup Sour Cream
  • ยผ cup Sliced Green Onions

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef and onion. Cook until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
  • Meanwhile, cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  • Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in sour cream until fully combined.
  • Add the cooked pasta and mix until evenly coated.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with all of the cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.
  • Let stand 5 minutes, then sprinkle with green onions before serving.

Notes

*Use 2 cups of your favorite salsa in place of the Rotelยฎ.

Nutrition

Calories: 698kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @simply_happy_foodie

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Hi, Iโ€™m Sandy!

My style of cooking is casual, uncomplicated, and everything is made from my heart. I hope my recipes will help you get the meal on the table a little easier

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1 Comment

  1. Keith Patterson says:

    We have 5 or 6 of Sandyโ€™s recipes that we use once or twice a month! This one is one of our go to dinners. It is easy and tasty. We use the chili fixings version of Rotel to give it an extra kick and change it up sometimes. It is an awesome recipe