Queso Taco Pasta Bake

20 Ratings

17 Comments

Kitchen Tested

Prep 25 min
Total 50 min
Servings 9

Homemade queso gives this satisfying beef and pasta bake an amazing Mexican flavor kick. MORE+ LESS-

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated October 18, 2017

Make with

Gold Medal Flour

Ingredients

box (1 lb) rotini pasta

1/4

cup butter

1/4

cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

teaspoon chili powder

1/2

teaspoon salt

1/4

teaspoon ground cumin

1/4

teaspoon pepper

1 1/2

cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

2 1/2

cups shredded Cheddar cheese (10 oz)

can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

cup finely chopped onions (2 medium)

can (10 oz) diced tomatoes & green chiles

Steps

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1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 4-quart saucepan, cook and drain pasta as directed on box. Return to saucepan; set aside.
2

In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, chili powder, salt, cumin and pepper with whisk until smooth. Gradually stir in broth. Cook and stir until slightly thickened. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of the cheese and the enchilada sauce until cheese is melted. Remove from heat; set aside.
3

Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onions over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in tomatoes.
4

Add beef mixture and cheese mixture to pasta. Pour into baking dish; sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 cup cheese.
5

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.

Expert Tips

Any shape pasta would work for this recipe — elbow macaroni or penne would be great!
This pasta bake is full of flavor but not spicy — perfect for the family dinner table!
For spicier flavor, use the hot diced tomatoes & green chiles.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 510
Calories from Fat: 200

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 23g; 35%
Saturated Fat 12g 58% Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol: 75mg; 25%
Sodium: 1020mg; 42%
Potassium: 220mg; 6%
Total Carbohydrate: 52g; 17%
Dietary Fiber 3g 13% Sugars 2g
Protein: 25g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 15%; 15%
Vitamin C: 2%; 2%
Calcium: 25%; 25%
Iron: 15%; 15%

Exchanges:

2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;