Taco Pasta Casserole

This taco pasta casserole recipe is loaded with flavor. It combines ground beef with taco seasoning, salsa, sour cream, and tender cooked pasta, all topped with a melted Mexican cheese blend. It's such a hearty, comforting, and delicious meal the whole family will love!  

The Best Taco Pasta Casserole

If you love the flavor of tacos and the convenience of casseroles, just wait until you try this taco noodle casserole recipe!

It has all the same flavors of traditional tacos, but instead of being rolled up in a tortilla, it's layered into a casserole dish with cooked pasta.

This taco pasta bake has taco seasoned ground beef, a fresh flavor from the salsa, and richness from the shredded cheese. The addition of pasta turns this casserole into the perfect one-pot comfort food meal that's just so good! 

As delicious as this cheesy taco pasta bake is, it definitely tastes better with some sides to go with it. I love serving these Taco Bell nacho fries and Taco Bell nacho cheese with it for the ultimate Taco Tuesday meal!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to make. All you have to do is cook the ground beef, add in the rest of the ingredients, and the oven takes care of the rest.

A guaranteed family favorite. I've made this casserole so many times, and my family never gets sick of it. It's also perfect for hosting and is guaranteed to be a hit! 

The ingredients. Everything you need to make this easy taco pasta bake recipe is super simple, and all of the ingredients combine to create the best flavor.

Ingredients

As I just mentioned, this taco pasta bake recipe calls for simple ingredients, and those ingredients are:

• 1 lb. ground beef 
• 9 oz. penne pasta 
• 2 cups salsa
• ½ cup shredded  Mexican blend cheese
• 2 tbsp. taco seasoning packet (adjust to taste)
• ½ cup water
• Sour cream, and coriander for garnish

By the way, if you have any leftover ingredients from this recipe, you can use almost all of them in this taco rice casserole. So definitely give that a shot next!

How To Make Taco Pasta Casserole

1. Prep work: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200ºC) and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Then drain the pasta and set it aside for later.

2. Cook the ground beef: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart until it's browned on all sides.

3. Combine the ingredients: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat, then pour water over the top. Cook the seasoned ground beef for 1 more minute, then add the salsa and the pasta. Stir the beef mixture to combine all of the ingredients together, then top it with the shredded cheese. 

4. Bake the casserole: Place the cast iron skillet in the oven and bake for about 18-22 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly. 

5. Serve: Let the casserole cool briefly, then serve with sour cream and cilantro. Enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best 

• Swap the ground beef with ground turkey or ground chicken for leaner taco meat.
• Make a homemade taco seasoning to add any flavor you want to the casserole.
• Stir in cream cheese to make a thicker, more creamy casserole dish.
• Add extra toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, or crushed tortilla chips. 
• Transfer the ground beef mixture to a casserole dish, top it with cheese, and bake if you don't have an oven-safe skillet.

How To Store Taco Pasta Casserole

In the fridge: Put a lid on the casserole dish and store it in the fridge as is, or you can transfer your leftover taco casserole to an airtight container, and it'll stay good for up to 4 days.

In the freezer: To store your leftover baked taco pasta for even longer, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container or freezer-safe bag and freeze it for up to 4 months.  

Reheating: Put the leftovers back in a casserole dish and warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until it's fully heated. Add more time for the frozen casserole or let it thaw in the fridge overnight first.

FAQS About This Taco Pasta Casserole

What is the best pasta for taco pasta casserole?

Any shorter pasta like penne pasta, rigatoni, elbow noodles, or spiral noodles works great!

What is homemade taco seasoning made of?

A mixture of salt, paprika, oregano, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder is typically in a taco seasoning mix. The chili powder can be adjusted to suit your preferences, or red pepper flakes can also be added to make it spicier.

What can I serve with taco pasta casserole?

It's delicious with this Mexican street corn casserole, air fryer tortilla chips and Chipotle guac, and this fried ice cream for dessert.

More Casserole Recipes

• Chicken fajita casserole
• Frito taco casserole
• Mexican chicken casserole
• Taco cornbread casserole
• Taco potato casserole
• Tater tot taco casserole
• Chicken tortilla casserole