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TACO PASTA CASSEROLE centered hero view, clean and uncluttered
Olivia Farnsworth

Taco Pasta Casserole Delightful Easy Recipe

This taco pasta casserole is a fantastic easy dinner option featuring just 5 ingredients. It's a perfect blend of cheesy, savory flavors that make it a go-to recipe for taco pasta casserole lovers. Ideal for meals 5 ingredients or less, recipes with ground hamburger, and easy weekend recipes, this dish is simple to prepare yet satisfying for the whole family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 435
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef or use chicken and/or turkey
  • 16 oz pasta shells
  • 15.5 oz salsa
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 2 (1oz) packets taco seasoning (¼ cup if using bulk taco seasoning)
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • Optional for Creamy Sauce
  • ½ cup cream cheese or sour cream

Method
 

  1. Set your oven to preheat at 400°F.
  2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, drain well, and keep it aside.
  3. In a large oven-safe pan or dutch oven, brown the ground beef over high heat, stirring occasionally; drain excess fat once cooked.
  4. Mix the cooked pasta into the browned meat.
  5. If your pan isn’t oven-safe, transfer the pasta and meat mixture into a casserole dish.
  6. Sprinkle the taco seasoning evenly over the meat mixture and pour the water on top.
  7. Add the salsa and gently stir everything until well combined.
  8. Spread the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole; for a creamier texture, blend in sour cream or cream cheese before baking.
  9. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is bubbling.
  10. Remove from the oven and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
  11. Garnish with your favorite taco-style toppings as desired.

Notes

  • To create a creamier sauce, try replacing water with milk or mix in sour cream. For extra sauce, reduce the pasta quantity or add an additional jar of salsa. You can prepare the entire dish in one pot by using a dutch oven.