Loaded Taco Pasta Bake: Your Family's New Favorite Comfort Food
This Loaded Taco Pasta Bake combines seasoned beef, zesty chiles, and gooey melted cheese for a comforting family meal.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- - Skillet
- - 9×13-inch baking dish
- - Cutting board
- - Knife
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 16 oz Pasta choose short pasta like penne or rotini
For the Meat Sauce
- 1.75 lb Ground Beef use lean ground beef
- 1.25 cup Onion finely diced
- 2 tbsp Garlic fresh minced garlic
- 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes Hunt's brand preferred
- 15 oz Tomato Sauce
- 2.5 tbsp Taco Seasoning adjust to taste
- 0.5 tsp Chili Powder for warmth
- 15 oz Black Beans rinsed and drained
- 4 oz Green Chiles for a mild kick
For the Cheese
- 1.75 cups Monterey Jack Cheese freshly shredded
- 1.75 cups Cheddar Cheese freshly shredded
For Garnish
- 5 Green Onions to garnish
- 0.25 cup Cilantro fresh
For Serving
- Sour Cream to serve
Instructions
How to Make Loaded Taco Pasta Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Prep ingredients: dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the green onions and cilantro.
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until it’s 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the beef is brown. Drain excess fat.
- Combine ingredients by adding the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, taco seasoning, chili powder, black beans, and green chiles to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix together the cooked pasta and meat sauce in a large bowl. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
- Spread the mixture into the greased baking dish. Top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle the green onions on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is bubbling and golden brown.
- Rest the dish for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and offer sour cream on the side.
Notes
You can add sliced jalapeños on top before baking for a spicier kick.