Taco Pasta with Fresh Jalapeno Salsa

A spicy and creamy taco pasta with seasoned ground beef, cheddar cheese, fresh salsa, and jalapeños.

This taco pasta with fresh jalapeno salsa combines seasoned ground beef with tender pasta shells, infused with homemade taco seasoning for a flavorful base. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, fresh salsa, and sliced jalapeños, each bite offers a delicious mix of spicy and creamy textures. Garnished with cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, this dish is a satisfying and vibrant meal.

Servings

2-4

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup small shells pasta
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Sour cream
  • Sliced jalapeños

Taco Seasoning

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Fresh Salsa

  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

Make Fresh Salsa

Combine diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.

Cook the Pasta

Prepare pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.

Cook Onion and Garlic

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Cook Ground Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

Season the Beef

Stir in taco seasoning and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Simmer

Add beef broth and 1 cup of fresh salsa. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Combine Pasta and Cheese

Stir in cooked pasta. Add shredded cheddar and stir until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve

Plate the taco pasta and garnish with cilantro, sour cream, and jalapeños, if desired. Enjoy!

 In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Squeeze the lime juice over the mixture and add salt to taste. Stir to combine and set aside.

Measure and prepare the remaining ingredients.

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.

Add the homemade taco seasoning to the beef and stir to coat evenly. Cook for about 1-2 minutes.

Pour in the beef broth and 1 cup of the fresh salsa. Stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine.

Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta. Stir until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the taco pasta between two plates. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños if desired.