Description
Cheesy Taco Cream Cheese Pasta is a quick and comforting dish combining tender pasta with creamy cheese and flavorful taco-seasoned vegetables. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe melds the richness of cream cheese and cheddar with a zesty taco twist, perfect for a hearty weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz pasta
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Seasoning
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Liquids and Oil
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain well and set aside to prepare the sauce.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for sautéing vegetables and spices.
- Sauté Vegetables and Seasoning: Add diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and the taco seasoning to the skillet. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat and combine the ingredients.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld for a few minutes.
- Melt the Cheeses: Add the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt completely into a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet and mix well to ensure each noodle is coated with the cheesy taco sauce.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot and garnish with additional shredded cheddar cheese if desired for an extra cheesy finish.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with sour cream for a tangier flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Add fresh cilantro or chopped green onions as garnish for added freshness.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheat gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.25 cups)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Cheesy pasta, Taco seasoning pasta, Cream cheese pasta, Easy weeknight dinner, Vegetarian pasta recipe
