Creamy Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake

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Are you looking for a new family favorite? If so, whip up this creamy, cheesy taco pasta bake. It’s a ground beef pasta dish loaded with cheese baked to melted cheese perfection. This easy dinner idea is kid-friendly.

This recipe uses minimal ingredients and is budget-friendly. Pasta is great for making a larger batch to feed more people or to leave you with leftovers for the next day.

close up of taco bake on plate with words written over the top

I am a sucker for a ground beef recipe, as it is super quick to throw together. With back to school in full swing you will find this recipe is a game-changer.

Are you looking for more easy meals? Try this crescent roll taco ring, pizza puff pastry pockets, or slow-cooked brown sugar pork chops.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple everyday ingredients you might already have on hand in your kitchen or pantry.
Easily to adapt and change out ingredients to fit your liking.
This is a recipe that is easy to make and reheats well the next day.
Freezer friendly dinner that you can save for later.

🛒Ingredients

This quick list of the ingredients needed to make this comfort food recipe. Pick up these ingredients on your next trip to the grocery store so that you can enjoy this side dish.

Pasta – I used ziti noodles for this pasta bake. Feel free to use any medium-sized pasta.
Beef – Ground beef was my protein of choice. A leaner ground beef is what I prefer.
Water – You will need some water to help with cooking the pasta. You could enhance the flavor and use broth if you choose.
Light Cream—Light cream or half and half can help create a creamy texture for the pasta dish.
Cream Cheese – The cream cheese adds decadence to the pasta.
Taco Seasoning—To create incredible flavor, add taco seasoning. You can buy a packet or make homemade taco seasoning.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

overview of pasta on plate with cheesy pasta

🔪 How to Make This Creamy Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake

This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this creamy pasta dish. The full instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Start by cooking the pasta as directed. Then, cook your ground beef in a skillet, and once fully cooked, drain off the grease.

Mix in taco seasoning to the ground beef, add water, and cook for 5 minutes.

Next, mix half and half in the cream cheese, and stir until melted.

Pour the pasta into the casserole pan, mix in the meat, and pour cheese.

Bake as directed, and once done, serve.

🥄 Equipment

You will need a few kitchen tools to help you make this tasty recipe. Grab these tools from your cabinets so you can make this hearty side dish.

Large Skillet
Large Pot
Casserole Dish
Meat Chopper
Measuring Cups

🥫 Storage

Store any leftover pasta baked in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Then reheat in the microwave or warm it up in the oven in a covered dish.

You can also freeze any of the pasta for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before you reheat or defrost straight from the freezer.

💭 Tips

Here are a few tips that you can use to help this recipe turn out perfectly for you when you make it.

Make sure to cook the ground beef fully, and then drain off any grease in the pan.
Cook your pasta till it is al dente, as it will cook even longer in the oven.
Stir the mixture well so all the ingredients are well mixed.
Spray the cooking dish with cooking spray to ensure the pasta bake does not stick as it bakes.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Can I add vegetables?

Yes. You can add vegetables if you would like. Canned beans are great; drain first—corn, peppers, onions, etc. Feel free to add any vegetables you would like.

What can I serve with it?

You can pair it with dinner rolls, a crisp green salad, or even a side of Mexican rice.

Can I make it gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pasta to make this into a gluten-free pasta dish. Make sure all other ingredients you use are gluten free.

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