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Cheesy Queso Taco Pasta

Indulgent Cheesy Queso Taco Pasta for Quick Weeknight Wins

Discover the creamy and comforting Cheesy Queso Taco Pasta, a perfect weeknight dinner that combines hearty pasta with flavorful queso.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or ground turkey or plant-based crumbles
  • 8 oz Pasta short cuts like rotini or penne
  • 2 cups Broth vegetable broth or water with bouillon
For the Sauce
  • 2 cups Queso store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tablespoon Taco Seasoning homemade preferred for flavor control
For the Flavor Base
  • 1 medium Onion or substitute red onion or poblano
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste or use salsa
For the Toppings
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheese shred from a block if possible
  • Fresh Cilantro for garnish
  • Avocado diced for topping
  • Jalapeños sliced or diced
  • Sour Cream for creaminess
  • Crushed Tortilla Chips for crunch

Equipment

  • large skillet

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks for about 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
  2. In the same skillet, add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the vegetables, cooking for 1-2 minutes to release aromas.
  4. Pour in the broth and mix in tomato paste or salsa, scraping the skillet. Bring to a boil and let bubble for a minute.
  5. Stir in the pasta and bring back to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Reduce heat further and stir in the queso until melted. Add milk if the sauce is too thick.
  7. Mix in shredded cheese until melted. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. Spoon pasta into bowls. Top with cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, and tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2.5mg

Notes

Stir the pasta occasionally during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even absorption of flavors.

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