Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta

Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta

One of my favorite variations of beef and pasta to make is this cheesy, Mexican-inspired recipe. I’ve been making this one for several years, now, and everyone always loves it. It starts with seasoned beef, onions, and garlic. Then, I combined it with salsa verde, pasta shells, and finally a full 2 – T-W-O – cups of cheese. When it’s all said and done, I have a beefy, hearty dish that’s loaded with flavor, not work and feeds an army. Now, I ask you, can you beat that? No. The answer is no.

Why You’ll Love This Salsa Verde Taco Pasta

• It’s a quick and easy ground beef recipe that uses simple ingredients you might already have or are easily found at the grocery store.
• It’s an inexpensive weeknight dinner recipe that the whole family will love and request often.
• It is a hearty and flavorful pasta recipe, and the leftovers are just as good the next day.

Tips

• Be sure you only cook your pasta al dente. You want it to be firm enough to stand up to being mixed into the dish.
• Always drain your beef after cooking, even if you use lean ground beef. It all releases at least some fat, and you don’t want a greasy dish.

Variations

• Use chorizo in place of ground beef.
• You can make this with ground turkey.
• For a kick of heat, add diced jalapenos.
• Add diced tomatoes and corn.
• Use elbow macaroni in place of shells.
• Try Mexican or Taco cheese blends in place of cheddar cheese.

Topping Ideas

This delicious beef and pasta dish is stuffed with Mexican flavors, so you can top it with all your Mexican favorites. Try topping it with things like:

• Sour cream
• Cilantro
• Green onions
• Avocado
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Taco sauce
• Pico de Gallo

What to Serve with Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta

Just like the toppings listed above, serve your favorite Mexican sides with this pasta, as it’s loaded with Mexican flavors. Try:

• Guacamole and chips
• Salsa and chips
• Mexican rice
• Spanish rice
• Elote
• Elote casserole
• Black beans and rice

Recipe FAQ

What is salsa verde?

Literally meaning green salsa, salsa verde is a spicy green sauce made with tomatillos and green chili peppers.

What does salsa verde taste like?

Salsa verde is far more tart than salsa because of the acidity of the tomatillos. It’s zesty, tangy, and spicy.

Is salsa verde the same as green enchilada sauce?

They are similar but not the same. Green enchilada sauce combines tomatillos and green chilis with stock or water and the ingredients are then cooked. Salsa verde is simply tomatillos, green chilis, and sometimes one or two other ingredients that are blended together and uncooked.

Can I freeze this cheesy salsa verde taco pasta?

Absolutely. It freezes very well and will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

How to Store and Reheat Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta

Store this taco pasta in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container.

To reheat the dish, place in a baking dish, cover it with foil, and bake it for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees until heated through.

Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious beef pasta dish. You might have several of the ingredients in your kitchen right now, and the ones you don’t are all readily available at your local grocery store.

• Ground beef
• Onion
• Cloves garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Taco seasoning
• Water
• Salsa verde
• Small pasta shells
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Optional: sour cream, green onions, cilantro

How to Make Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta

Making this delicious dish is super easy. It only takes a few minutes of stovetop cooking, and you’re all one. It’s ready in less than half an hour.

Step 1: Cook the Beef

Add ground beef, onions, and garlic to a large saucepan, season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium-high heat until the ground beef is completely cooked. Drain the meat and add it back to the pan.

Step 2: Add Taco Seasoning

Add the taco seasoning and water and cook until the water is absorbed.

Step 3: Add the Salsa Verde

Add the salsa verde to the meat mixture and stir.

Step 4: Make the Noodles

Prepare the noodles according to the package directions for al dente. Then, drain them and add them to the meat mixture.

Step 5: Add the Cheese

Stir in the grated cheese until melted. Garnish with sour cream, green onions, and cilantro or any of your favorite Mexican toppings.

Try This Cheesy Salsa Verde Taco Pasta Recipe Today

This delicious easy taco pasta recipe is everything Hamburger Helper wishes it could be but just can’t! It’s meaty, cheesy, and loaded with flavor, and it makes a great family dinner or addition to any potluck or party. With so much flavor and such an easy set of instructions, there’s no reason not to give it a try. Make it just once, and I guarantee it will be part of your recipe rotation forever!

More Delicious Pasta Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Italian Sausage Penne Casserole – This delicious pasta recipe is loaded with Italian sausage, onions, garlic, tomatoes, seasonings, lots of cheese and penne pasta. A family favorite pasta recipe the whole family is going to love.

Bow Tie Pasta Lasagna – This is a hearty and delicious pasta recipe made with all our favorite lasagna flavors and uses bow tie pasta in place of lasagna noodles. Cheesy and delicious.

Creamy Rigatoni – A hearty and incredibly scrumptious pasta recipe with two types of sauce, a creamy white sauce and a meat sauce with ground beef and Italian sausage, lots of cheese, and is definitely in our family’s dinner rotation 2 times a month. 

And, here is an Easy One-Pot Goulash, from Deliciously Seasoned, that you will enjoy as well.