Description
Mexican-inspired flavors dance through this Taco Temptation Pasta Bake, blending zesty spices with creamy cheese and hearty ground beef. Comfort meets culinary excitement in one irresistible dish you cannot wait to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 500 grams (1.1 pounds) ground beef
- 200 grams (7 ounces) cream cheese
Pasta and Cheese:
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) ziti noodles
- 150 grams (5.3 ounces) grated cheese (like cheddar or Mexican blend)
Seasoning:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C), preparing a welcoming environment for this zesty pasta creation.
- Boil ziti noodles in salted water for 7-8 minutes until they reach perfect al dente texture, then carefully drain in a colander.
- Place ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, cooking until thoroughly browned and breaking into small crumbles.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, then introduce taco seasoning and approximately of water, stirring to create a flavorful meat mixture.
- Incorporate cream cheese into the seasoned beef, gently stirring until the cheese melts completely and integrates smoothly with the meat.
- Select a baking dish and create the first layer by spreading half of the cooked ziti noodles across the bottom.
- Sprinkle half of the grated cheese over the initial noodle layer, creating a preliminary cheesy foundation.
- Evenly distribute the beef and cream cheese mixture across the first noodle and cheese layer.
- Complete the dish by adding the remaining ziti noodles as the top layer.
- Generously cover the final noodle layer with the remaining grated cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Transfer the assembled dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly surface.
Notes
- Perfectly blends Mexican-inspired flavors with classic pasta comfort for a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies pasta and taco lovers alike.
- Pre-cooking ground beef with taco seasoning ensures deep, robust flavor that permeates the entire dish.
- Cream cheese creates an ultra-creamy, rich texture that elevates the traditional pasta bake to a luxurious dining experience.
- Layering technique guarantees every bite contains a delicious mix of tender noodles, seasoned beef, and melted cheese.
- Ideal for meal prep, this dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking, making weeknight dinners stress-free.
- Versatile recipe allows easy customization with additional toppings like jalapeños, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for personal flair.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg