It’s official: my household has a new favorite pasta dish. It’s tough to beat our favorite but I think this taco pasta did it.
You guys, it tasted just like a taco. I mean duh, it has taco seasoning so obviously it was going to taste like tacos but it surpassed all of my expectations. The sour cream, which I expected to just blend in with the cream cheese, was so perfect. I also love that I chose to use shells because they were like tiny soft taco shells!
One thing I would change – I would double the pasta next time. To stretch it longer and I also think 1/2 pound of pasta isn’t enough for 1 pound of meat (and the original calls for 1 1/4 if you can believe that!).
Two years ago: Danish Braid
Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 8 ounce small dry pasta shapes
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
- 4 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 3 ounce cream cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
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Meanwhile, in a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. A few minutes before the meat is cooked through, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Once the meat is cooked through, mix in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Mix in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit.
Susi says
This sounds like a great and easy meal for a busy weeknight!
.-= Susi´s last blog ..Giveaway Wednesday =-.
Patricia says
Sounds wonderful, but doubt I could hide the cream cheese and sour cream from my husband who won’t eat either one.
amanda says
I bet you could stir in some cheddar instead of the sour cream and cream cheese. That would probably be really good. Thanks for commenting! :D
smilinggreenmom says
This sounds so great! We love taco anything here! Our favorite pasta are the noodles made from Kamut Wheat which are organic and so healthy. I would love to try it with this! Thanks so much – it looks yummy!
Katerina says
I love the sound of this, plus I love how unconventional it is. Your favorite looks delicious too, although a little high fat!
.-= Katerina´s last blog ..Are they Muffins or Scones Fun Raspberry and Pumpkin Baking =-.
amanda says
Yeah, that one’s definitely not something I make often. It’s a twice a year kind of thing. Thanks for commenting! :)
Julie says
I’m sure we’d love this too!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Bourbon Kahlua Peach Cobbler =-.
Debs says
Oh yes, I like the sound of this. We are big pasta lovers in our house & we always have the same recipe.
Great post, thanks for sharing.
.-= Debs´s last blog ..Homemade Naan Bread =-.
nicole says
this sounds so good. we eat tacos so much it’s becoming redundant- this should switch it up a bit!
.-= nicole´s last blog ..do you see it too =-.
Becca says
Thanks for this recipe. I was literally just thinking that a taco pasta dish would be nice for dinner tonight and then I found this on the Tastespotting site. Can’t wait to try it! Becca :)
Sarah says
Thanks for posting this. Love the inclusion of cream cheese and sour cream. Here in the height of summer humidity, I know I’m supposed to be grilling out every night … but I can’t wait for cooler weather to get back to trying new skillet dishes like this one.
Liz says
Wow, this sounds really good. I think this will have to go on my menu for next week; thanks for sharing!
.-= Liz´s last blog ..CEiMB- Penne with Roasted Tomatoes- Garlic- and White Beans =-.
Shawna says
Mmm…I made this last night! Thanks for sharing:o)
Steph says
I am going to add this to my menu! Looks great.
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Southwestern Sausage Quiche =-.
Sara_Tea says
I just made this, and it’s seriously phenomenal. Thanks so much for the recipe!
.-= Sara_Tea´s last blog ..the prodigal blogger =-.
Andrea - Caffeinate Me says
I made this tonight – Holy yum! Thanks!
.-= Andrea – Caffeinate Me´s last blog ..The One With My Project 365 =-.
Kelly says
We just ate this! (I’m staring at the leftovers…they better hide!)
So delicious…my husband and I both said we could have ate the whole thing. I used gluten free rice pasta and homemade taco seasoning.
Dave says
Made this tonight. I doubled the pasta as you suggested. It’s fantastic. Throw some shredded cheese on top at the end and it’s amazing. Thanks! I wil be making this again!
amanda says
Awesome! So glad that you enjoyed it! Now I want to make it again! :) Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Dave says
Also, I used jennie o ground turkey with taco seasoning already mixed in. I may never use ground beef again.