Taco Pasta Casserole

Cheesy beef taco pasta in a white casserole dish

5 from 1 vote

This quick and easy taco pasta casserole is the perfect Taco Night alternative! Tender pasta, ground beef, salsa, and Velveeta cheese is the perfect combination of cheesy, zesty flavors.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Ground Beef Recipe, taco casserole, taco pasta, taco pasta casserole

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 524kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked medium shells pasta
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 jar salsa (16 oz.)
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz.) NOT diluted
8 oz. diced Velveeta cheese
1 cup shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions. Drain when the pasta reaches al dente.
2 cups uncooked medium shells pasta
Meanwhile, cook the beef in a Dutch oven over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
1 lb. lean ground beef
Stir in the salsa, soup, and Velveeta cheese; heat through.
1 jar salsa (16 oz.), 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 oz.), 8 oz. diced Velveeta cheese
Stir the cooked pasta into the meat mixture. Transfer the taco pasta to a greased 11-in x 7-in baking dish.
Sprinkle with shredded Mexican cheese.
1 cup shredded Mexican blend or cheddar cheese
Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Notes

You can make taco pasta with another protein – such as ground chicken, ground turkey, or store-bought shredded chicken.
Skip the baking time and make this a one-pot cheesy taco pasta by cooking all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven on the stovetop.
If you don't have shell pasta, you can substitute it with another similar short pasta shape -- such as penne!
Cooking just for two? Cut all of the ingredients in half and bake the pasta in a small (about 1 quart) casserole dish. The rest of the instructions remain the same.
When reheating leftovers, loosen up the cheesy pasta with some beef broth or chicken broth. A little goes a long way!

Nutrition