Queso Taco Pasta Bake

Name: Queso Taco Pasta Bake
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 9
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 box (1 lb) rotini pasta; 1/4 cup butter; 1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour; 1 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); 1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce; 1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef; 1 cup finely chopped onions (2 medium); 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes & green chiles

21 Ratings

18 Reviews

Kitchen Tested

Prep 25 min
Total 50 min
Servings 9

Homemade queso gives this satisfying beef and pasta bake an amazing Mexican flavor kick.

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Updated October 18, 2017

Make With

Gold Medal Flour

Ingredients

1 box (1 lb) rotini pasta
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 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)
1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 cup finely chopped onions (2 medium)
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes & green chiles

Steps

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.

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 Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 510

Calories from Fat: 200

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;