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Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Bake

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A delightful fusion of tacos and pasta, this dish combines seasoned ground beef and creamy cheeses with rigatoni for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk can substitute with plant-based milk
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1.25 ounces taco seasoning packet
  • 10 ounces enchilada sauce
  • 16 ounces Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar cheese (grated or chunked, divided) can experiment with different cheese blends
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder optional for extra heat
  • 2 stalks green onions, chopped for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a 9 x 13 pan with non-stick spray.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook the rigatoni, but be sure to subtract 2 minutes from the cooking time listed on the pasta box. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. After draining the grease, transfer the meat to a bowl.
Making the Cheese Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt the butter and whisk in the flour, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until it turns golden.
  2. Gradually pour in the milk and chicken stock, whisking to combine. Bring the mixture to a low boil.
  3. Stir in the taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne, if desired.
  4. Remove from heat and mix in the majority of the cheese until melted and creamy.
  5. Stir in the cooked beef and rigatoni until everything is well-coated.
Baking
  1. Transfer the complete mixture to your prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
  2. Bake for 20 minutes, then let it sit for 10 minutes before sprinkling with chopped green onions. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g

Notes

For serving, consider pairing with a fresh side salad or tortilla chips. A dollop of sour cream or guacamole can elevate the flavors. To store leftovers, cool completely and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
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