Taco Pasta
This cheesy Taco Pasta recipe is savory, comforting, and absolutely bursting with Tex-Mex flavor. A hit for all ages!
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 521kcal
Ingredients
- ½ pound medium pasta shells
- 3 tablespoons avocado or canola oil, separated
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef or turkey
- 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning
- 1 white onion diced
- 3 jalapeños seeded and diced
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups low sodium or unsalted chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup freshly grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly grated Monterey Jack cheese
- Topping Ideas: chopped tomato, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, extra grated cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions and set aside.
- If using ground turkey, add a tablespoon of oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using ground beef, omit the oil. Add the meat to the heated skillet and sprinkle with taco seasoning.
- Break apart the meat and cook for about 10 minutes or until fully cooked through. Turn off the heat and use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and transfer it to a bowl. Take care not to drip oil down the sides of the pan. Set the meat aside.
- Return the pan to the stovetop over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once the oil has come to temperature, add the diced onion and jalapeno. Stir to coat in the oil and saute, stirring often, for about 4-5 minutes or until softened.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Add the chicken broth, one big splash at a time, whisking well after each addition. Once all of the broth has been incorporated, pour in the milk and stir to combine. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic powder, and allow the sauce to come to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
- Turn off the heat, add the freshly grated cheese, and stir until completely melted. Add the pasta shells and ground meat and stir to combine.
- Top off your Taco Pasta with any additional toppings you desire, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
If you're in a hurry to get dinner on the table, grab yourself a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and sub it into the recipe, or just omit the chicken altogether.
Nutrition
Calories: 521kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 601IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 359mg | Iron: 3mg