Taco Chili Pasta Bake

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my privacy policy.

Taco Chili Pasta Bake is my husband’s absolute favorite pasta and is sure to become a new family favorite!

Taco Chili Pasta Bake in a white casserole dish with a spoon removing some.

This Taco Chili Pasta Bake is OH MY YUM delicious! or in other words, positively addicting! It is my husband and I’s ultimate go-to comfort food – comfort food without butter or cream I might add – just ooey, gooey melty cheese – mmmm!

 Taco chili pasta bake in a white casserole dish with cherry tomatoes on the side.

To make this easy pasta, simply brown your beef and onions and then dump in all your other Tex Mex chili-esque ingredients (kidney beans, green chilies, creamed corn, tomatoes, enchilada sauce and plenty of seasonings) and simmer away for 10 minutes, then stir in your cheeses, followed by pasta – that’s it!

You can eat your pasta straight out of the skillet as is, or you can proceed with one extra step of pouring your dinner into a casserole dish and smothering with more cheese and baking to golden, bubbly cheesy deliciousness. I choose bubbly cheesy deliciousness, drool….

Taco chili pasta bake in a white casserole dish with a metal spoon removing some.

Finally, top your Taco Chili Pasta Bake with tortilla strips, avocados, sour cream and/or whatever your heart desires and dig in! But be warned, once you start, you won’t be able to stop! addicting…

Taco Chili Pasta Bake

No ratings yet
Taco Chili Pasta Bake is my husband’s absolute favorite pasta and is sure to become a new family favorite!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Author Alyssa Rivers
Servings: 6 Servings

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounce celllentani pasta may sub rigatoni, penne, etc.
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can (14.75 ounce can) sweet creamed corn
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 ounce can) petite diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 ounce) red kidney beans
  • 1 can (4 ounce) mild diced green chilies
  • 1 can (10 ounce) mild enchilada sauce
  • 4 ounce cream cheese (⅓ less fat) cubed
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
  • 1 1/2 cups Pepper Jack cheese divided

Garnish

  • tortilla strips
  • tomatoes
  • avocados
  • sour cream
  • cilantro
  • hot sauce

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta al dente in generously salted water (don't overcook). Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium high heat until no longer pink. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds. Drain off any excess grease.
  • Turn heat down to medium and stir in creamed corn, tomato sauce, enchilada sauce, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, green chilies, and spices. Turn heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
  • Stir in cream cheese until melted, then stir in ¾ cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup pepper jack cheese until melted. Add pasta and stir until evenly coated.
  • Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and add pasta. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes then broil until cheese is golden.
  • Garnish with tortilla strips and other desired toppings.


Nutrition

Serves: 6

Calories713kcal (36%)Carbohydrates71g (24%)Protein43g (86%)Fat30g (46%)Saturated Fat17g (85%)Cholesterol122mg (41%)Sodium1377mg (57%)Potassium1086mg (31%)Fiber6g (24%)Sugar12g (13%)Vitamin A1399IU (28%)Vitamin C21mg (25%)Calcium516mg (52%)Iron6mg (33%)

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic

 

Alyssa Rivers

I am Alyssa and the blogger behind The Recipe Critic. I started my blog in June of 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family.

Read More Posts by Alyssa

facebook twitter pinterest instagram

Categories

Comments

Leave a reply
  1. Have you ever frozen this once it was cooked and then reheated it? This is way more than my hubby and I could eat and I am wondering if I can put it in bread pans and freeze it.

      1. Fantastic! This is probably the best Mac & Cheese type thing I’ve ever made. I had to make a special trip to find smoked paprika. Worth it. Somehow even better as leftovers! 5 Stars!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating