Mexican Taco Pasta

Mexican taco pasta is a creamy, delicious, easy-to-make dinner that only takes 20 minutes. It’s everything you love about a taco without the hassle. You can even throw it together at the end of the day without any guilt because it’s high in protein and has the perfect mix of carbohydrates for energy.

It’s bursting with flavor thanks to a combination of traditional taco seasoning, onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro. The sauce, sour cream, and cream cheese combine seamlessly to make this quick Mexican taco pasta recipe a hearty main dish for taco Tuesday, family occasions, potlucks, and busy weeknights. And it’s much easier to make than setting up a taco bar — or having to clean up after one. Think about how many fewer dishes you’ll have.

Plus, it’s easy for each person to customize to their preferences by adding extra heat with red pepper flakes, chilies, spicy salsa, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce.

Like with the Rotel dip recipe, this will be one that your family will ask for again and again. In fact, it could even be combined with nachos and dip for a fiesta-inspired meal.

This Italian meets Mexican meal is an excellent choice if you want to try out a new recipe. 

Great weeknight dinner idea! 

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why I Love Mexican Taco Pasta?

• Quick and easy to put together
• Cheesy and savory with its blends of cream, cheese, and spice
• Can be customized with different shapes of pasta – penne, rotini, or macaroni
• Doesn’t require the oven – won’t heat the house in summer

How Do You Thicken Taco Sauce?

Thicken the taco sauce with either flour or cornstarch. Combine two tablespoons of flour with ¼ cup of water, mix until smooth, then add to the sauce. If you’re using cornstarch, go with one tablespoon of cornstarch to one tablespoon of cold water for a thicker sauce. On the other hand, mix one tablespoon cornstarch with one cup of cold water for a thinner consistency.

Do You Drain Water from Taco Meat?

Draining water from taco meat makes it less greasy and healthier. Brown the meat to extract the fat, then spoon it out of the skillet or use a colander to drain it. The little bit of fat that remains will help the seasoning stick to the meat without making the dish oily and messy.

Do You Put Taco Seasoning in Before or After You Drain Meat?

Season the meat after you drain it so the flavors don’t go down the drain.

How to Serve Mexican Taco Pasta

This taco pasta is versatile, and you can serve it with a green salad, tortilla chips, and sauces like Pico de Gallo. Some people serve it with their favorite toppings like avocados, olives, and guacamole. Even a squeeze of lemon or lime could finish it off by adding a hint of freshness and tang.

Mexican Taco Pasta Cooking Tips

• Use a large pot when cooking pasta so it doesn’t clump up. Make sure you stir it when you first put the pasta in and then sporadically.
• Reserve some pasta water to use as a binder for your sauce.

Variations:

• Supplement ground beef with ground turkey for less fat. You can also use ground chicken or pork because they have fewer calories.
• Add beef or chicken broth for more flavor.
• Add cooked jalapeños or serrano peppers to give the pasta a kick.
• Green chilies or chili powder are good options if you love spicy food. Other options to increase the heat include hot sauce, habanero sauce, or spicy salsa. Or, add chipotle peppers for an extra, smokier, layer of flavor. With that trick, nobody will know this was an easy Mexican taco pasta for beginners when they eat it.
• Add fresh veggies like black olives, bell peppers, black beans, and fresh corn for more nutrients and texture and for a healthy Mexican taco pasta version of this dish.
• Replace the cilantro with basil or Mexican oregano for added flavor. Add lemon or lime zest for a bit of a zing if you don’t have cilantro or are one of the ones who taste soap when they eat it.

Ingredients needed:

• Pasta
• Ground beef
• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic clove
• Taco seasoning
• Sour cream
• Cream cheese
• Tomato sauce
• Tomatoes
• Parmesan cheese and chopped cilantro

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Tips for Success

If you search through homemade Mexican taco pasta ideas and choose this one, you’re lucky because it’s relatively easy. However, be mindful not to overcook the pasta or let it clump.

Brown the meat for a richer, deeper taste, but don’t brown the onions.

If you’d prefer to make your own seasoning, use cumin paprika, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. A pinch of cayenne can spice it up without being overpowering.

How to Store Mexican Taco Pasta

After this simple Mexican taco pasta meal cools, you can store a portion of it in an airtight container for three days in the refrigerator. 

How to Reheat Mexican Taco Pasta?

Reheat Mexican taco pasta in two ways. First, put the pasta in a skillet and reheat it on low heat for several minutes. Second, reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

How Long Does Mexican Taco Pasta Last in the Freezer?

It can last up to two months in a freezer-safe airtight container. Ideally, you’ll want to heat it on top of the stove rather than in the microwave after you defrost it.

Can I Make Ahead Mexican Taco Pasta?

You can make Mexican taco pasta ahead and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to take it out, heat it, and serve. Heating it later will make it another simple Mexican taco pasta meal.

Serving Suggestions

Looking for what to serve with your family-friendly Mexican taco pasta?

Consider a side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a vinaigrette dressing. Mexican street corn or refried beans could also go well. For dessert, you could always serve Mexican sweet bread. The outside is firm, while the inside is soft. It has just enough sweetness to satisfy without being overly indulgent.

Notes

This dish has quickly become a staple in my house, especially since it’s not technically tacos (which my husband isn’t a fan of). Still, it has the flavor profile of them, which is perfect for our son’s love of Mexican-American dishes.

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy  

Mexican Taco Lasagna: combining tacos and lasagna gives a truly amazing and tasty meal, perfect for crowd-pleasing.   

Mexican rice: when you need a side dish for your favorite Mexican dishes, Mexican rice does not disappoint. It is delicious, flavorful, and simple to make.