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–+ servings
A spoonful of pasta above a pan full of pasta.
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5 from 11 votes

Cheesy Taco Pasta

This cheesy taco pasta is a warm, hearty meal full of delicious taco flavors the whole family will love! It's a classic one pot dinner and is your new best friend for those busy weeknights!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time32 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 449kcal
Author: Tristin - Home Cooked Harvest

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup salsa homemade or jarred
  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, lettuce, avocados, hot sauce, pepperoncinis, tomatoes, chopped cilantro, or tortilla chips

Instructions

  • In a deep large skillet, add ground turkey, salt and pepper. Brown the ground turkey over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain any fat. 
  • Stir in chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion, and oregano. 
  • Add the salsa, pasta, and water, and stir well. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, stir, and cover.
  • Continue cooking for 14-16 minutes, stir halfway through cooking time, until the pasta is soft.
  • Turn off the heat and take the skillet off the hot burner. Stir in the cheese. 
  • Serve hot, and add additional taco toppings if desired.

Notes

    • You can use store-bought taco seasoning mix for this recipe if you're in a time crunch.
    • Feel free to use lean ground beef instead of turkey.
    • Add a can of black beans for a little extra fiber and to stretch the meat.
    • If you have some handy, you can use chicken broth instead of water for a little extra flavor.
    • Put pasta in an airtight container and cool completely before covering it with the lid. The leftovers will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. 
 
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results. 

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 994mg | Potassium: 702mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1129IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg