Taco Pasta Bake

This taco pasta bake is simple yet so delicious. It has taco seasoned ground beef and tender pasta noodles mixed in a creamy sauce and topped with shredded cheese. This taco pasta is an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!

The Best Taco Pasta Bake

Pasta and tacos are two delicious meals on their own, so you know bringing them together has to be good.

Well, I'm confident that this taco pasta bake recipe won't disappoint!

It combines ground beef and pasta that are mixed in taco seasoning, sour cream, and salsa before being topped with shredded cheese and baked until melty, golden perfection. The noodles get a slightly crisp texture that's just addictive, and the combination of flavors is out of this world good.

This cheesy taco pasta bake is a delicious meal all by itself, but you can make your Taco Tuesday even better by whipping up this Mexican street corn casserole to eat on the side.

If you make the two recipes, you'll have a meal that's impressive enough to serve if you're hosting yet simple enough to make on a busy weeknight.

Why This Recipe Works

It's quick and easy to make. Just cook the pasta and beef, layer everything in a casserole dish, and dinner will be on the table in just 30 minutes!

Everyone always loves it. I've made this taco pasta recipe for several occasions and a number of times for family dinners, and it's always a hit. So you're guaranteed to have a winner no matter when you serve it!

A winning combination. This recipe may seem too simple, but it doesn't take much to create an incredible flavor. From the taco meat to the pasta and cheese, this taco pasta bake is just so good.

Ingredients

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this taco pasta bake, and you might even have them on hand already!

Check out what you'll need to make this taco bake with pasta:

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 8oz. Pipe rigate pasta or desired type
• 9oz. salsa
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1oz. Taco seasoning mix
• ¾ cup milk or water
• ¼ cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper, to taste

You can use all of these ingreidents to make my crescent roll taco bake or taco pasta casserole recipe. The taco pasta casserole is pretty similar to this recipe, but everything is cooked in a cast iron skillet instead of a baking dish.

How To Make Taco Pasta Bake

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook the pasta of your choice according to the package directions. Drain it and set aside once it cooks.

2. Cook the beef: In the meantime, add the ground beef to a large skillet, saucepot, or Dutch oven. Cook the beef, breaking it apart for a few minutes until it's browned on all sides. Drain any excess fat from the skillet. 

3. Combine the ingredients: Add the cooked pasta to the beef and mix. Add the taco seasoning and milk or water, sour cream, and salsa to the pasta and beef. Stir well until everything is combined.

4. Finish the taco pasta: Grease a 9-inch baking dish with some cooking oil. Transfer the beef mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the pasta with all of the shredded cheddar cheese.

5. Bake and serve: Put the taco pasta bake in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm with some sour cream on top. Enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Stir ¼ cup of softened cream cheese instead of sour cream into the ground beef mixture for an extra creamy taco pasta bake.
• Swap the cheddar cheese for monterey jack cheese, a Mexican cheese blend, or pepper jack cheese for a little spice.
• Make the taco pasta bake spicy by adding hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and sliced jalapeno peppers to the beef mixture.
• Top the casserole with crushed tortilla chips for a little crunch.
• Use ground turkey or ground chicken instead of beef for a leaner taco pasta bake.
• Make a homemade taco seasoning to add any flavors that you want to the taco pasta bake.
• Cook the pasta until al dente, so it doesn't get mushy in the oven.

How To Store Taco Pasta

In the fridge: Store the taco pasta in an airtight container, and it'll last in the fridge for about 4 days. 

In the freezer: Transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for about 3 months.

Reheating: Put the taco pasta back in a casserole dish and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes or until it's warmed through. Let the frozen taco pasta thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

More Recipes

• Tater tot taco casserole
• Pizza casserole
• Cheeseburger casserole
• Chicken spaghetti casserole
• Philly cheesesteak casserole