Cheesy Taco Pasta

Cheesy Taco Pasta is an incredibly easy pasta recipe that can be on your table in a flash. It’s cheesy, loaded with flavor and perfect for weeknights.

Guys, I’m here with another easy weeknight dinner for you! Let’s face it the weeknights dinner can often be a mad rush to get something, anything on the table. Something that everyone will love. Well, everyone loves tacos and everyone loves pasta so it seemed only logical to combine the two.

This epic mash up is not just deliciously satisfying, it is also ready in under 20 minutes. AND it got rave reviews from the kiddos! How is that for weeknight dinner perfection?

What ingredients do you need:

• PASTA: Use any kind of short pasta that you like. Elbows, penne or shells would would all work perfectly.
• CHORIZO: Some taco pastas call for ground beef and taco seasoning. Instead, in this recipe, I ditch the taco seasoning and use chorizo. Chorizo is a slightly spicy, seasoned Mexican and Spanish Sausage. Look for the raw ground chorizo for this recipe, not the cured meat in the deli section. I like to use Johnsonville Chorizo.
• MEDIUM SALSA: Use your favorite mild to medium salsa. If you want things spicier you could use a hotter salsa.
• CHEDDAR CHEESE: Freshly shredded medium or sharp cheddar.
• OAXACA CHEESE: This is a semi-hard Mexican cheese and I just love the way it melts. It’s perfect for this recipe, but can be tricky to find. If you can’t find it you can substitute Jack cheese or Mozzarella.
• PICKLED RED ONIONS/JALAPEÑOS/CRUSHED TORTILLA CHIPS: Or whatever toppings you prefer!

How do you make Cheesy Taco Pasta?

This recipe is super easy to get on your dinner table! Just follow these simple steps. I’ve also included step by step photos to make it even easier to follow along!

• STEP #1: Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• STEP #2: While pasta is cooking, cook chorizo in a large skillet until browned and cooked through 5 – 7 minutes. Drain excess grease.
• STEP #3: Return chorizo to the pan. Add salsa and cooked pasta. Heat until the pasta is warmed through. Add cheese and mix well. Cook until cheese has melted.
• STEP #4: Top with your favorite toppings.

Toppings suggestions:

The kiddos liked this just as it is. But I wanted to serve some taco toppings along side. We really like Quick Pickled Red Onions, Jalapeños and crushed tortilla chips. It would also be fab with sliced avocado, sour cream and some habanero hot sauce for an added kick!

Looking for more easy weeknight meals like this Cheese Taco Pasta? Try these:

• Kielbasa Peppers and Onions
• Ground Turkey Stir Fry
• Creamy Shrimp Pasta
• Pancit Recipe