Queso Taco Pasta: Your New Comfort Food Obsession
Hey loves! Imagine if your fave taco and mac 'n cheese had a baby, and that baby was raised on pure queso magic. We're talking tender pasta shells swimming in the creamiest, cheesiest sauce you’ve ever tasted, loaded with perfectly seasoned beef and all the taco vibes. It’s literally everything good about Taco Tuesday and cozy comfort food rolled into one glorious, messy bowl. Fair warning: after this, regular pasta will seem basic AF.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Base
- 12 oz medium pasta shells or rotini
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for maximum flavor)
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or DIY if you're feeling fancy)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
For the Life-Changing Queso Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 2 cups sharp cheddar, freshly grated
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup queso blanco or white American cheese
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Hot sauce (optional but chef's kiss)
For the Taco Vibes
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen works!)
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
Toppings (Go Wild!)
- Extra cheese (duh!)
- Sour cream
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Hot sauce
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil—salt it like you mean it, loves. Cook pasta until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Brown the ground beef until crispy, breaking it up as you go. Toss in diced onion and cook until soft, then stir in garlic until fragrant.
- Add taco seasoning and cook according to package directions. Mix in diced tomatoes and green chiles.
- In the same pot, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to make a roux (don’t let it brown!), then gradually whisk in milk until thickened.
- Add cream cheese cubes and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in all grated cheeses until melty and dreamy. Season with cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
- Add cooked pasta to the beef mixture. Pour that glorious queso sauce over everything and toss to combine. Stir in black beans, corn, and pickled jalapeños.
- If it looks too thick, splash in reserved pasta water. Taste and adjust seasoning—you’re the boss!
- Ladle into bowls, top with cilantro, green onions, and whatever your heart desires. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gloriously gooey.
Notes
Pro-tip: For extra creaminess, stir in a dollop of sour cream right before serving. It’s giving next-level vibes!