Description
Cheesy Taco Cream Cheese Pasta is a flavorful and satisfying Tex-Mex inspired dish combining tender pasta with a creamy, cheesy taco-flavored sauce. Ground beef or turkey is cooked with taco seasoning and spices, then blended with cream cheese, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses to create a rich, velvety sauce that coats every bite of pasta. Garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions, this easy weeknight meal perfectly balances comfort and zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta such as rotini or penne
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 cup salsa or canned diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup milk or reserved pasta water
Garnish (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef (or turkey) until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Seasonings and Salsa: Stir in taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and salsa. Mix well and simmer the mixture for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Create Sauce Base: Reduce heat to medium and add the softened cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce.
- Loosen Sauce: Pour in milk or a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce, stirring to combine smoothly.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat each piece evenly with the cheesy taco sauce. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sliced green onions if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra heat, add chopped jalapeños or use a hot salsa.
- The sauce thickens as it cools; add more milk or pasta water when reheating leftovers to loosen it.
- Substitute ground turkey for a lighter option without sacrificing flavor.
