• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Laughing Spatula logo

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube
  • All Recipes
  • Most Popular
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Healthy Recipes
  • About
Laughing Spatula / Recipe Index / Casseroles / Taco Pasta

Taco Pasta

By Kathi & Rachel

208 shares
  • Share
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

We love a good hearty dish of pasta (who doesn’t?) and this Taco Pasta is the perfect recipe for our pasta repertoire! Full of rich ground beef, fresh bell pepper and corn, this is the perfect recipe to feed the whole family AND have leftovers the next day. Winner winner, taco pasta dinner!

taco pasta in a white casserole dish

Fresh ingredients are what really make this taste so good- fresh corn off the cob gives this dish such a nice added crunch, and the red bell pepper adds a touch of sweetness.

Taco pasta b beef and veggies cooking in a pan

To start, brown beef in a pan. Once fully cooked, drain the fat, add taco seasoning and 1/3 cup water . You can make your own taco seasoning (surprisingly easy) or you can use store bought. Next step, add the fresh veggies. I added fresh corn off the cob, red onion, and red bell pepper.  Cook the beef/vegetable mixture for another 3-4 minutes- which will leave a bit of crunch to the vegetables but still fully cook them- then add pasta. 

If you want to add more vegetables or protein to this delicious Mexican Style Pasta, you could try these ideas: 

  • Jalapeños
  • Poblano Peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Yellow Bell Pepper
  • Beans- Black, pinto or great Northern
  • Fresh cherry tomatoes
  • Black Olives

adding boiled pasta to beef mixture

I used Rotini for this dish, but elbow macaroni, farfalle or even orzo would be delicious. Turn off heat, and add precooked pasta to the skillet, stirring until combined.

adding melted cheese to taco pasta casserole

Transfer 1/2 of the pasta/beef mixture to a pre-greased casserole dish, and add 1 cup of shredded cheese, followed by the remaining pasta/beef mixture, followed by another layer of cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, and you’re ready to serve! 

cooked taco pasta in a white casserole dish

Top with green onions, or cilantro, and serve with helping of delicious Spanish rice, or even a chipotle Caesar salad!

taco pasta in white casserole dish

If you are wondering other ways you could serve this taco pasta, you could also top with a dollop of sour cream, or guacamole and some shredded lettuce for the full effect. Heck, you could make taco pasta burrito bowls! yum!! Don’t forget the salsa!

Looking for other delicious pasta recipes? Here’s a few more we love!

  • Easy Sesame Noodles
  • 20 Minute Lemon Ricotta Pasta
  • Baked Ziti with Sausage and Bechamel 
  • One Pan Pasta and Meatballs 
  • Roasted Butternut Squash with Penne and Garlic Cream Sauce

Perhaps you want more Mexican inspired recipes? Got you covered there, too!

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
  • Healthy Enchilada Casserole
  • Mexican Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Let’s answer a few questions about this recipe!

  • What other meat can I use?
    • Any ground meat of your choice would work- turkey, chicken, pork. Even Beyond meat for those going meatless!
  • How long does this keep for in the fridge?
    • 3-4 days in the fridge.
  • Can I freeze this?
    • Yes- Transfer to an extra large ziplock and make sure you squeeze all of the air out to preserve the flavor. This will last up to 2 months in the freezer. To reheat, microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, stirring as needed.
  • What other pasta can I use?
    • Chef’s choice! Orzo, farfalle, even angel hair would be great.
  • Can I use instant pasta?
    • You CAN, but I prefer to not use it in casserole type dishes as it tends to get a little gummy.
  • Can I make this low carb?
    • Yes! Use steamed cauliflower.
taco pasta in a white casserole dish
Taco Pasta
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Recipe  Comment
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
 

A delicious and hearty dish with leftovers everyone loves.

Course: casserole, Dinner, family dinner, mexican dinner
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mexican
Servings: 8 people
: 366 kcal
: Kathi & Rachel
Ingredients
  • 1/2 pound cooked rotini pasta (or pasta of choice. If using orzo, use 3/4 lb.)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (equivalent to 1 store bought packet)
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 cup fresh corn off othe cob (frozen or canned works in a pinch)
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded mexican cheese
  • cilantro or green onion for garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit.

  2. In a large skillet on medium high, add beef and olive oil. Cook until browned. Add taco seasoning and water. Add corn, red bell pepper, and onion, continue to cook until onion is barely translucent.

  3. Remove from heat, and add pasta to skillet. Stir to combine. Transfer 1/2 of pasta mixture to pre-greased 9x13 casserole dish. Add 3/4 cup cheese, followed by another layer of pasta mixture. Top with remaining cheese.

  4. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is gooey.

  5. Garnish with cilantro or green onion if desired, serve & enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
Taco Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 366 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 60mg20%
Sodium 238mg10%
Potassium 310mg9%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 19g38%
Vitamin A 539IU11%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 159mg16%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

For more delicious recipes.. Here’s our latest blog posts:

  • Layered Salad
  • Quick Pickled Cucumbers
  • Grilled Chicken Thighs
  • Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
  • Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
208 shares
  • Share
  • Email

Filed Under: Casseroles, Most Popular Recipes, Pasta

Never miss a Laughing Spatula recipe!

Sign up for free recipes delivered straight your in box ! Sign up Here

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

mother daughter picture of Rachel and Kathi Kirk
Hi! We are Kathi and Rachel, a mother daughter blogging team creating easy to prepare foods made with fresh ingredients that your whole family will love!

FREE RECIPE EBOOK!
Join our free list below and receive our Ebook: TOP 10 EASY DINNER RECIPES! The best of the best all in one little book!

YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES!

Clean Eating Recipes

Top 10 Clean Eating Recipes!

Chicken Rollatini – Stuffed with Ricotta and Spinach

10 Weeknight Chicken Breast Recipes!

breakfast burritos in a clear casserole dish

Breakfast Enchiladas with Sausage

asparagus salad being tossed with lemon vinaigrette

Asparagus Salad

seared medium steak on a white plate with rosemary garnish

How to Reverse Sear Steak

Footer

As Seen On

Laughing Spatula Featured on Buzzfeed
Laughing Spatula Featured on Fitness Magazine
Laughing Spatula Featured on The Huffington Post
Laughing Spatula Featured on MSN
Laughing Spatula Featured on NBC News
Laughing Spatula Featured on PBS
Laughing Spatula Featured on RedbookMag.com
Laughing Spatula Featured on Country Living

WE LOVE HELPING YOU MAKE FRESH, DELICIOUS AND SIMPLE RECIPES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

  • Main Course Recipes
  • Sheet Pan Recipes
  • Fast and Fresh Recipes
  • Most Popular Recipes
  • Salad & Dressing Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Soup Recipes
  • Side Dish Recipes
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2022 Laughing Spatula | Contact & Privacy Policy