Cheesy Taco Pasta

Name: Taco Casserole with Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Olive Oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 1 pound lean ground beef; 16 ounces gluten free rigatoni; 16 ounce can refried beans (check for gluten free); 15 ounce jar salsa (check for gluten free); 1 packet package taco seasoning (check for gluten free); 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided (check for gluten free); 1/4 cup taco sauce (check for gluten free)

Taco casserole with pasta is going to be a new kid-favorite! A refried bean pasta loaded with lean ground beef, salsa, pasta and cheese, it’s baked into the perfect weeknight casserole. Serve topped with taco sauce and diced tomatoes. Gluten free.

With the kids heading back to school and life getting a bit busier, we got into the routine of making the same meals week after week. So, we decided it was time to change up our dinner menu!

Packed with flavor and nutrition, this taco pasta is going to be a top favorite in your home. It is always a great idea to keep kid friendly ground beef recipes in mind for those nights when you need to change up your family’s routine. Now, you can add Taco Pasta to that list!

This taco pasta recipe is definitely a keeper. Everyone in your family will love it. Plus, you will always have leftovers after making this dish. It reheats really well, which makes it a great option for lunch the next day. Especially, if you have kids that have gone to virtual learning.

Ground beef, refried beans, salsa and taco seasoning being shown in a large skillet on a granite countertop with a dish towel next to the skillet.

How To

Start by cooking the onions and ground beef. In a large skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil then sauté the onions until they are translucent (about 3-4 minutes).

PRO TIP: Heat the olive oil before adding the onions to the pan. Otherwise, the onions will soak up the oil instead of cooking in it.

Next, add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. As a Registered Dietitian, I recommend using a lean 90/10 beef in ground beef recipes.

Nutrition Tip: If you do use 80/20 or 70/30 ground beef, drain the excess fat to reduce the total fat content while preventing your recipe from being greasy.

Cooked rigatoni pasta in a white strainer on a granite countertop with a dish towel next to the strainer.

Prepare the rigatoni by bringing a pot of water to a boil then cooking the pasta per box instructions (about 10 minutes). Drain using a strainer and sit to the side.

PRO TIP: Enhance the flavor of your dish by salting the pasta water instead of the pasta. Think 4:1 – for every 4-quarts of water, add 1 TBSP of salt to the pot.

A plate of food with rice, with Taco and Pasta

Next, add the salsa, refried beans, and taco seasoning to the large skillet with the ground beef and onions. Mix well.

In a large bowl, combine the rigatoni, ground beef mixture, and 1/2 (1 cup) of the cheese. Mix until combined.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Make a homemade taco seasoning to customize the flavor to your family’s preference.

In the past, I would go to make a Mexican-style dish and not have a taco seasoning packet on hand. But, I always had individual spices. A few years ago, I decided it was time to make my own Homemade Taco Seasoning. Now, I have taco seasoning for any recipe at any time.

PRO TIP: For mild taco seasoning, skip the red pepper flakes. For a spicy taco seasoning, add 1 tsp of cayenne pepper or double the red pepper flakes.

Cheesy Taco Pasta in a 9 x 13 casserole dish on a granite countertop with a dish towel next to the baking pan.

In a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, add the beef mixture. Top with the remaining cheese (1 cup).

Ingredient Swap: I use a shredded Mexican cheese blend for this taco pasta recipe. However, you could swap it for shredded cheddar or Colby jack cheese.

You could even make a DIY Mexican style cheese by sprinkling taco seasoning on any shredded cheese and mixing it together.

Cheesy Taco Pasta in a 9 x 13 casserole dish topped with shredded cheese on a granite countertop with a dish towel next to the baking pan.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey for taco pasta?

Of course! You could swap the ground beef for a lean ground turkey or ground chicken. You could even swap the ground beef with beans for a vegetarian alternative.

What is the best pasta for taco pasta?

I recommend rigatoni because it is a large noodle that pairs well with the ground meat mixture. However, you could swap the rigatoni for your favorite. Keep in mind that you might need to adjust the cooking time of the pasta. Smaller noodles require a shorter cooking time.

Can I reheat cheesy taco pasta?

Yes, you can! To reheat, add the leftovers to a microwave safe bowl with a splash of water and heat until it reaches 165 degrees. The water will help to keep the pasta moist.

Cheesy Taco Pasta in a 9 x 13 casserole dish covered with tinfoil on a granite countertop with a dish towel next to the baking pan.

Cover with tinfoil. The tinfoil is key to prevent the top of the taco casserole from burning while in the oven.

PRO TIP: To prevent cheese from sticking to the tinfoil, spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray and place that side down.

Cheesy Taco Pasta in a casserole dish with a serving being scooped out of the dish with a spoon.

Bake your covered casserole for 30 minutes. Serve with taco sauce and your favorite taco topping(s).

Taco Toppings

Cilantro
Lime juice
Sour cream
Diced tomatoes
Black olives
Lettuce
Homemade Guacamole
Pico de Gallo

Kid Friendly Ground Beef Recipes

More Dinner Recipes

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Taco Casserole with Pasta

Taco casserole with pasta is going to be a new kid-favorite! A refried bean pasta loaded with lean ground beef, salsa, pasta and cheese, it's baked into the perfect weeknight casserole. Serve topped with taco sauce and diced tomatoes. Gluten free.

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Servings 8 people

Equipment

large skillet
spatula
measuring spoons
baking pan
medium-sized pot
colander
can opener
tin foil

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 pound lean ground beef
16 ounces gluten free rigatoni
16 ounce can refried beans check for gluten free
15 ounce jar salsa check for gluten free
1 packet package taco seasoning check for gluten free
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided check for gluten free
1/4 cup taco sauce check for gluten free

Instructions

Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°.
Cook the onions and meat. In a large skillet, add a drizzle of olive oil then saute the onions until they are translucent (about 3-4 minutes). Add the beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain.
1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 medium onion, diced, 1 pound lean ground beef
Prepare the rigatoni. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook rigatoni per box instructions (about 10 minutes). Drain.
16 ounces gluten free rigatoni
Add the other ingredients. To the ground beef mixture, add the salsa, refried beans, and taco seasoning. Mix well.
16 ounce can refried beans, 15 ounce jar salsa, 1 packet package taco seasoning
Combine pasta and meat mixture. In a large bowl, combine rigatoni, meat mixture, and 1/2 of the cheese. Mix well.
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Prepare the casserole. To a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, add the pasta mixture. Top with the rest of the cheese. Cover with tinfoil. To prevent cheese from sticking to the tinfoil, spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray and place that side down.
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
Bake. Bake covered casserole for 30 minutes. Serve with taco sauce, diced tomatoes, or your favorite taco toppings.
1/4 cup taco sauce

Notes

Serve with taco sauce and your favorite topping including cilantro, diced tomatoes, avocados, or black olives.

Nutrition

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