20-Minute Taco Pasta Bake (Print)

Bold taco flavors meet cheesy pasta for a quick, hearty, family-friendly main dish ready in just 20 minutes.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 ounces short pasta such as rotini or penne

→ Meats

02 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sauces & Dairy

11 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
12 - 1 cup tomato sauce
13 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
14 - 1/2 cup sour cream

→ Toppings (optional)

15 - Chopped fresh cilantro
16 - Sliced jalapeños
17 - Sliced green onions

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven broiler to high.
02 - Cook short pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until meat is browned, about 4 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables have softened.
05 - Stir in taco seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, drained corn, and rinsed black beans. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring to combine.
06 - Reduce heat to low. Add drained pasta and sour cream to the skillet. Mix until pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until cheese has melted and is bubbly.
08 - Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or sliced green onions as desired. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick weeknight dinner with minimal prep
  • Crowd-pleaser with familiar taco flavors
  • Versatile ingredients fit any pantry
  • One skillet for easy clean-up
  • Cooks in under twenty minutes start to finish
02 -
  • High protein and fiber from beans and meat
  • Bakes hands-off in the oven for the final step
  • Feeds a crowd or meal preps beautifully
03 -
  • Shred your own block of cheddar for smoother melting and more flavor
  • Broil the cheese topping closely so it bubbles but does not brown too much
  • Season every layer as you cook for deep savory flavor
  • If you want it really saucy reserve a bit of the pasta cooking water and add along with the sour cream
  • Do not skip the fresh garnish at the end it makes all the flavors pop

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