Print

Easy Cheesy Dump-and-Bake Taco Pasta

easy cheesy dump-and-bake taco pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy one-dish meal combining taco flavors with cheesy comfort, perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 12 ounces uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, sour cream, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed but leave a little for flavor.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir well to coat evenly.
  5. In a large baking dish, add uncooked pasta. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir gently to mix and cover the pasta evenly.
  6. Pour the seasoned beef mixture over the pasta mixture in the baking dish. Stir to combine.
  7. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce is too thick after baking, stir in a splash of beef broth or water before serving. Browning the beef thoroughly and sautéing onions and garlic add depth of flavor. Covering the dish while baking traps steam to cook pasta perfectly. Tent with foil if cheese browns too fast.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta, cheesy pasta, dump and bake, weeknight dinner, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef pasta

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/easy-cheesy-dump-and-bake-taco-pasta-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinners/