I saw this pasta dish the other day on The Girl Who Ate Everything, and the reason that I liked it is because, 1. It was easy 2. It was cheap and 3. I already had everything! BTW they have coupons today HERE for the Taco Seasoning.
I checked prices at my store this morning and if I had to buy everything it would have been under $10, it served my entire family with leftovers so about $1 a serving!
I served mine with a salad and loaf of french bread, it was a hit!
Check out The Girl Who Ate Everything, her pictures are much better 🙂
Taco Pasta
1 pound ground beef or turkey ( I used 1.5 lb. )
8-12 ounces medium pasta shells or other small dry pasta shapes ( I used 12 oz)
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, drained (if making this for kids you might want to use just plain diced tomatoes)
4 tablespoons taco seasoning (I used 1 packet)
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Salt and pepper
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.
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. Add in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 3-5 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 if it is still too thin.
Toss in the cilantro right before serving for some fresh color and flavor. Serve with a green salad.
Sammie says
this sounds so good! I have everything but the noodles this for sure will be on next weeks meal plan =]
Thank you
Mercedes says
I started seasoning my meat for my Mexican meals myself…my family loves it and it doesn’t have as much sodium! I use chili powder, cumin, Adobo, Garlic and onion powder, sea salt, and pepper…I throw it in till it is a flavor I like!
Karen says
My mom used to make something similiar she used tomatoe sauce and placed in a casserole dish added corn as well and baked the last 10 minutes she put slice cheese on top~ YUMMO
Anna says
I am eating this as I write this 🙂 Thanks for the idea for dinner tonight…very yummy!
Su says
I make something similar, I’m gonna have to try this one, it’s probably creamier.
1 pound hamburger
1 box velveeta shells & cheese
1 can rotel
a little milk
Brown your meat
Prepare your Mac N Cheese
Combine!
It’s one of my go to meals for nights we are in a hurry.
It’s probably cheaper to do noodles and velveeta seperate but I don’t usually keep the velveeta block in the house.
Bonnie says
We do something similar but we use kraft Mac n cheese and a can of stewed tomatoes. Can’t wait to try your version.
Cori says
I do something a bit similar, though with more pre-prepared stuff. Take two boxes of mac and cheese and make according to the directions, cook 1lb of ground meat or rehydrate 1 cup TVP, add a pack of taco seasoning. Add the meat to the mac and cheese, then add half a jar of chunky salsa and serve. Tasty!
Ines says
Had it for dinner and my fussy kids liked it. I forgot about the tomatos but added cellery and carrots. Turned out great. Thanks for a rewarding dinner.
Mommy feels appreciated tonight.
Ashley says
Ok your pic looks so yellowish. Does this have velvetta or is that just everyones similar dishes?
Tiffany says
No, it is just my bad picture! When you add the tomato’s with the white of the cream cheese and sour cream it turns that color.
Anne says
I have a really good recipe for taco salad that your kids might like cuz mine do and they are picky eaters and they ask for it all the time. Just let me know if you want the recipe
Tiffany says
Yes sent it over!
Emily B says
I’m not seeing the coupon for the taco seasoning? Just a coupon for the tortilla stuffers.
Tiffany says
I think it has reached print limit 🙁
DawnJoy says
This will be supper tomorrow night. YUM!!
Alison says
I really want to make this one… I wish I had the sour cream but I haven’t had a deal on it in awhile. Have you tried it with the Philly Cooking Creme?? I also have some ground chicken leftover so this sounds like it would be great because it has no flavor without something yummy like this!!
Amanda says
I made this tonight, super good and a big hit with my man and his brother.
Tiffany says
Good!
maryW says
i made it as is and it was FANTASTIC!
Rochelle Rust says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I made it tonight and it was a hit with my picky five year old. I used 1.25 lbs of ground turkey, 16 oz of medium shells, light sour cream, light cream cheese and mild rotel, along with the other ingredients. It was delicious and made enough for two nights. Very budget friendly. This is sure to become a regular on our menu.