Irresistible Taco Pasta Delight: A Family-Favorite Fusion Recipe

Taco pasta is an exciting dish that brings together the bold tastes of Mexican food with the comforting feel of Italian pasta.

This unique recipe mixes two favorite cuisines into one tasty meal that everyone can enjoy.

People love how flexible this dish is, allowing for many different versions to suit personal tastes.

The blend of seasoned meat, flavorful spices, and perfectly cooked pasta offers a satisfying eating experience that both fills you up and pleases your taste buds.

Families and friends sit down together to share this flavorful meal that connects different food traditions.

Taco pasta shows how world flavors can come together in a single amazing dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

Best Matches For Taco Pasta Delight

• Boost Flavor Companions: Crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial cuts through the rich, cheesy pasta and cleanses the palate with its refreshing carbonation.
• Complementary Crunch Partner: Serve with crispy tortilla chips or jalapeño poppers to add textural contrast and enhance the taco-inspired flavor profile.
• Cooling Sidekick: Fresh, zesty Mexican street corn salad with crema and lime provides a bright, tangy counterpoint to the heavy, creamy pasta dish.
• Wine Pairing Ally: Zinfandel's bold, spicy notes perfectly match the taco seasoning and cheese, creating a harmonious flavor explosion on the plate.

Why Taco Pasta Delight Always Satisfies

• Whip Up a Quick Weeknight Winner: This taco pasta recipe offers lightning-fast preparation that busy families will adore.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the dish by swapping ground beef for chicken, turkey, or a vegetarian protein alternative to suit every taste preference.
• One-Pan Magic: Simplify your cooking process with this single-skillet meal that minimizes dishes and maximizes flavor, making cleanup a breeze.
• Family-Friendly Fiesta: Kids and adults alike will love the familiar taco flavors combined with creamy pasta, creating a crowd-pleasing dinner that disappears in minutes.

Taco Pasta Delight Ingredient List

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that forms the base of the dish, choose lean beef for less grease.
• Beef Broth: Adds rich flavor and helps cook the pasta, low-sodium options work best.

• Onions, Bell Peppers: Provide fresh flavor and texture, white or yellow onions recommended.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish with a mild onion kick, use for bright color and taste.

• Pasta Shells: Sturdy pasta shape that catches sauce and filling, medium or large shells preferred.
• Taco Seasoning: Delivers classic Mexican-inspired flavor profile, choose low-sodium blend.
• Salsa: Adds moisture and tangy taste, choose medium heat for balanced flavor.
• Gordo's Cheese Dip: Creamy cheese sauce that melts beautifully, provides rich and smooth texture.

Taco Pasta Delight Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1: Brown The Beef

Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook ground beef until it turns golden brown and crumbly.

Step 2: Sauté Veggie Companions

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers

Stir and cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.

Step 3: Remove Excess Oil

Carefully drain any extra oil from the pan to keep the dish light and delicious.

Step 4: Build The Flavor Foundation

• Uncooked pasta shells
• Taco seasoning
• Salsa

Step 5: Create The Sauce

Pour beef broth into the skillet, cover, and bring to a boil for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Simmer And Perfect

Remove lid and cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally until pasta becomes tender and liquid reduces.

Step 7: Cheese It Up

Stir in Gordo’s Cheese Dip until completely melted and integrated into the pasta.

Step 8: Rest And Settle

Turn off heat and let the pasta sit for 5 minutes to absorb all the flavors.

Step 9: Garnish With Freshness

Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a crisp, bright finish.

Step 10: Optional Cheese Explosion

For ultimate cheese lovers, warm an extra portion of Gordo’s Cheese Dip and drizzle over the dish before serving.

Helpful Tips For Taco Pasta Delight

• Customize Protein Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian twist.
• Control Spice Levels: Adjust taco seasoning and salsa intensity by choosing mild, medium, or hot varieties to match your heat preference.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Stir frequently during cooking to prevent shells from sticking and ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Incorporate diced bell peppers, extra veggies like corn or black beans to increase fiber and add more nutritional depth.
• Cheese Dip Hack: If Gordo's Cheese Dip isn't available, substitute with shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese for similar creamy richness.

How To Store And Warm Taco Pasta Delight

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months, preventing freezer burn.
• Reheating Stovetop: Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent sticking, stirring gently until heated through.
• Microwave Method: Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain texture.

Taco Pasta Delight With A Twist

• Vegetarian Friendly: Replace ground beef with black beans or plant-based crumbles, maintaining the same cooking technique and spice profile for a protein-packed meatless option.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Swap pasta shells with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for individuals with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute Gordo's Cheese Dip with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese sauce, using cashew cream or plant-based cheese alternatives to create a creamy texture.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Use low-sodium taco seasoning, reduced-sodium beef broth, and fresh salsa to decrease overall salt content while preserving the dish's robust flavor profile.

Taco Pasta Delight Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use a different type of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based crumbles for a different protein option.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The spice level depends on the taco seasoning and salsa you use. Choose mild versions if you prefer less heat, or opt for spicier varieties to increase the kick.

• What if I don't have Gordo's Cheese Dip?

No worries! You can replace it with shredded cheddar cheese, nacho cheese sauce, or a similar processed cheese dip that melts easily.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Skip the ground meat and use black beans, lentils, or meat substitutes. Adjust liquid and seasoning accordingly to maintain the flavor profile.

Heavenly Taco Pasta Delight Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy taco pasta swirls comfort and Mexican zest into one irresistible dish. Hearty noodles drenched in spicy seasoning promise a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• ½ medium onion, diced
• ½ bell pepper, diced
• 1 green onion, sliced

Pasta and Sauce Components:

• 3 cups (8 ounces or 226 grams) medium pasta shells, uncooked
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 ounce (28 grams) taco seasoning
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 cup Gordos Cheese Dip (any variety)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sizzle ground beef in a spacious skillet until it transforms into a rich, golden-brown landscape.
2. Introduce diced onions and vibrant bell peppers, allowing them to dance and soften within the meaty terrain.
3. Eliminate any lingering fatty residue by carefully draining excess oil.
4. Integrate uncooked pasta shells, sprinkle taco seasoning, and fold in zesty salsa to create a flavor-packed mixture.
5. Cascade beef broth over the ingredients, seal with a lid, and coax the contents to a robust boil.
6. Once bubbling, unveil the skillet and reduce heat, stirring intermittently while liquid evaporates and pasta absorbs the seasoned essence.
7. Blend Gordo’s Cheese Dip into the dish, watching it melt and weave through the pasta and meat.
8. Remove from heat, allowing the concoction to rest and harmonize its flavors for a brief moment.
9. Scatter freshly sliced green onions across the surface for a crisp, aromatic finale.
10. For enthusiastic cheese lovers, warm additional Gordo’s Cheese Dip and cascade it dramatically over individual servings.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that suits health-conscious eaters.
• Use gluten-free pasta shells to make this dish completely gluten-free without compromising the delicious taco flavor profile.
• Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium taco seasoning and broth, especially helpful for those monitoring salt intake.
• Boost vegetable content by adding extra diced vegetables like z

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg