Taco Pasta Bake

Taco Pasta Bake:

My family loves Tacos, and Pasta, so I thought that combining the two into a Taco Pasta Bake would be a huge hit, and it was! Here is how I put this recipe together:

First, I browned just over a pound of ground beef. The amount doesn’t have to be exact, my local store never sells exactly one pound. This one was probably closer to 1.25 pounds. While it’s browning, I place my small colander over a bowl. When the meat is good and brown, I pour it into the colander and use the spatula to stir and mash it to make sure all of the grease drains out the bottom of the colander. That’s the easiest way for me to drain the grease:)

Next, put the strained meat back into the skillet and use a taco seasoning packet and 3/4 cup of water to season the meat. Let it cook until the seasoning is absorbed and the water has cooked out. Add the Cream Cheese until it is mixed through.

Meanwhile, Cook your pasta, and when it is done and has been drained, pour it into your baking dish.  I used a 9×9 pan. Add your shredded cheese on top.

Add the beef mixture, and stir it all up so it’s mixed well. Then bake uncovered at 35o for about 30 minutes.

I had some extra cheese left, so when I pulled it out of the oven, I sprinkled it on top and let it melt before serving.

I plated it and served it to my family. They loved every last bite, and in fact, there were NO leftovers for lunch the next day!

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Taco Pasta Bake

Course 5 ingredients or less, Beef, Casserole, Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Servings 5

Author Karen

Ingredients

• 1 box Penne Pasta or ziti
• About 1 pound Ground Beef
• 1 envelope Taco Seasoning Mix
• 4 oz Cream Cheese about 1/2 box
• 1 1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese. Can divide or add extra according to your preference

Instructions

1. Brown your Ground Beef.
2. When it's done, strain the grease out.
3. Return the beef to the skillet and use a taco seasoning packet and 3/4 cup of water to season the meat.
4. Let it cook until the seasoning is absorbed and the water has cooked out.
5. Add the Cream Cheese until it is mixed through.
6. Cook your pasta according to package directions.
7. When it is done and has been drained, pour it into your baking dish.
8. Add your shredded cheese on top.
9. Add the beef mixture, and stir it all up so it's mixed well.
10. Then bake uncovered at 350 for about 30 minutes.
11. When it's done, you can add any leftover Shredded Cheddar to the top, if desired.

Here are a few items I find helpful in my own kitchen, when preparing this recipe:

 Pyrex Easy Grab 8-Inch Square Baking Dish T-fal A91082 Specialty Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Oven Safe Jumbo Cooker Saute Pan with Glass Lid Cookware, 5-Quart, Black OXO Good Grips Ground Meat Chopper Set of 3 Dishwasher Safe Stainless Steel Micro-Perforated Colander for Food Prep – Nesting Fine Mesh Pasta Strainer perfect for washing, rinsing or draining Spaghetti and Rice OXO Good Grips Two-Fold Grater Barilla Penne Pasta, 16 Ounce (Pack of 8) Old El Paso Seasoning, Taco, 6.25-ounce

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