When Josh and I get the munchies late at night, our go to snacks are popcorn, brie and crackers, or chips and salsa. Anyone else agree? Chips and Salsa - only one of the best things to eat EVER!
Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP?!
Last week when I went to the store they were all out of my favorite brand of tortilla chips!!!!!
I know! How dare they!
I searched the entire store and even considered swiping a bag I saw in another shopper's cart. But, self-control got the best of me and I went and found a stock boy (do they still call them stock boys?), and asked if there were any more bags hiding in the back.
There weren't anymore. And that's when I came to the conclusion that there is a conspiracy in our grocery stores. That's right - OUR grocery stores!
You see when you send a "stock boy" to go look for a specific item that's been stolen from the shelves, I'm thinking that they really do have the item in stock. They are just lying to us. LYING! Can you believe it? I don't really believe their excuse about another shipment coming in the morning.
Lies. All lies.
Anyways, aside from the lies the grocery stores are telling us, I did find out that I can buy these tortilla chips online! Like pretty much everything else in the world. So I guess it's not a big deal at all and really just a first world problem for me. Looks like I need to get over myself a bit, haha!
Let's talk about this pasta. It's out of this world good. It's got flavor. It's got texture. It's cheesy, meaty, filling, and the best part - done in 30 minutes! What could be better than that?
Tex-Mex Taco Pasta
On the table in 30 minutes or less, this cheesy pasta is full of zesty spices and your favorite tex-mex ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (you could also use ground turkey or chicken)
- 1 packet taco seasoning, low sodium
- 1 (15oz) can Rotel, drained of excess liquid
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can sweet corn, drained
- ½ lb farfalle (bow tie) pasta
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
- 2 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water a boil and prepare pasta as directed.
- In a high-rimmed skillet, brown ground beef on medium-high heat and drain off excess grease. Season with taco seasoning (preparing as directed on packet) and simmer for 5 minutes. To the meat mixture, stir in Rotel, black beans, and corn. Turn the heat off and cover with a lid.
- Drain pasta and return to pot. Add in the meat mixture and stir. Pour in the cream and toss in the cheese and stir with a wooden spoon until the cheese has completely melted.
- Ladle pasta into bowls and topped with chopped cilantro.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 518mgCarbohydrates: 27gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 31g
Jenn says
This looks amazing! I'm so impressed by so many originals lately! :)
Chels/Catz in the Kitchen says
Thanks Jenn! This pasta is so good-was even delicious as leftovers.
sandy says
hola, soy mexicana, y en esta receta encuentro 2 ingredientes que me confunden, dice agregar salsa de tacos y queso mexicano, tenemos una gran variedad de quesos. y no se a cual se refieren, pudieran decirme por favor, gracias me encanto la idea.
Hi, I am mexican, and in this recipe i find 2 ingredients I do not know, I am confused, you have tacos sauge, and mexican cheese, and in Mexico we have a variaty of cheeses, so which one is ? can you tell me please, thank you for for de idea
Joshua Rief says
Hi, Sandy - thanks for the questions, and they are good ones! The translation on the first ingredient seems to be a little garbled - I'm not sure if you mean taco seasoning or taco sauce. Taco sauce could be a variety of things, like Tapatío or any kind of mild hot sauce. Taco seasoning is sold here in the US in packets, but is typically something like a combination of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. For the cheese, most US grocery stores sell a "Mexican cheese blend", which is usually just a mix of Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses. I hope that helps!
Joshua Rief says
Google Translate:
Hola, Sandy, gracias por las preguntas, ¡y son buenas! La traducción del primer ingrediente parece estar un poco distorsionada, no estoy seguro de si te refieres al condimento de taco o la salsa de taco. La salsa Taco podría ser una variedad de cosas, como Tapatío o cualquier tipo de salsa picante suave. El sazonador Taco se vende aquí en los EE. UU. En paquetes, pero normalmente es algo así como una combinación de chile en polvo, ajo en polvo, cebolla en polvo, hojuelas de pimiento rojo, orégano, pimentón dulce, comino, sal y pimienta. Para el queso, la mayoría de las tiendas de comestibles estadounidenses venden una "mezcla de queso mexicano", que generalmente es solo una mezcla de queso Monterey jack y queso cheddar. ¡Espero que eso ayude!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Totally craving a bowlful of this tex mex pasta right now, it looks so comforting, hearty and delicious!
Chelsia Rief says
Thanks, Thalia! It is perfect for this time of year. Comforting to the last bite!
Nano Cleansers says
Different approach, great recipe!
Chelsia Rief says
Thanks! Different is always a nice change.
Emily | Gather & Dine says
This looks so creamy and delicious! Love simple meals like this...putting it on my list of dinners to make soon!
Chelsia Rief says
I'm ready to make it again myself! It couldn't be any simpler!
Brandi says
HELP!! Do you add the required amount of water for the taco seasoning or just the seasoning?
Chelsia Rief says
Hi, Brandi! Yep, definitely use the water! :) I'll add a note to the recipe.
tamy says
Just made this pasta and it is absolutely delicious! (I also added red onion and cumin seasoning)
Chelsia Rief says
Thanks, Tamy! I bet the cumin and crunch of the onion is a great addition! Thanks for letting me know how you liked it. :)
Melisa Callison says
I made this tonight and it was very good. However, I make an awesome taco soup, the ingredients to this are nearly identical minus the beef broth with pasta added and the sour cream and cheese mixed in.
I will very much enjoy the left overs but it is so close to my taco soup it won't be one of my go-to meals.
Hint: Boil the pasta waster first and when the noodles are boiling prepare the meat mixture with the beans, corn, and rotelle (I had to google it, then I found it in the hispanic food section in the store).
Joshua Rief says
Thanks for trying the recipe, Melisa - sounds like a great soup one, too! Added a link to Rotel - hopefully that will make it easier for those who are not familiar. Thanks!
Jamie S. says
I made this for dinner last night and loved it. I even brought some to work for lunch today! Great recipe - I'm telling all my friends about it. :)
Chelsia Rief says
I'm so glad it was a hit Jamie! Is it just me, or does Mexican or Mexican-ish meals always taste good the next day. :)
Sandy says
Just like soup, stew & casseroles better the next day after the flavors have a chance to blend together.
Leah says
Just made this dish for the first time tonight! It will definitely make it's way into our regular winter dinner rotation! So easy to make and It was amazing..... I can't wait to bring the leftovers to work tomorrow for lunch.
Chelsia Rief says
Hi Leah,
We love this dish, it is so good! And it makes great leftovers. I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it! I love hearing that! Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!!
Molly says
Looks yummy, I'll have to try it! I can't believe I'm the only one wondering what kind of tortilla chips are so good? But you got my curiosity up, we are always looking for good brands of chips!
Chelsia Rief says
Our favorite tortilla chips are Juanitas brand. They taste just like the chips you get in a Mexican restaurant and we especially like them, because they are made locally here in the PNW!
Molly says
Made this last night - it was good, but much spicier than I expected, my 4 year old wouldn't touch it :( If I cut the taco seasoning in half, will that make it less spicy? Obviously it's not spicy compared to a lot of things, but we're pretty sensitive to spice around here :)
Chelsia Rief says
Hi Molly, I am so sorry to hear it was too spicy for your son. That definitely is not good. You could certainly cut the taco seasoning in half and instead of Rotel, you can substitute a can of diced tomatoes instead. I think the spice probably is coming from the Rotel...typically, that is used in Queso dip and there is a bit of heat to it. Try making those substitutions and let me know how it works for you. :)
Yolanda Ojeda says
This pasta is delicious. Love this recipe
Chelsia Rief says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It's a favorite in our house!