Cheesy Taco Pasta

Time: 5 min Prep / 20 min Cook / 25 min Total

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 16 oz pasta (e.g. medium shells, elbow macaroni)
• 1 pound ground beef, turkey, or chicken
• 4 tbsp taco seasoning
• 8 oz cream cheese
• ⅔ cup water
• 8 oz taco sauce
• 1¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Brown ground mest in a large skillet or pan. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Drain fat.
2. Stir 1 tbsp of taco seasoning into the meat. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Mix in remaining taco seasoning and water, cooking until water is mostly gone leaving about 2 tbsp.
4. Add taco sauce and cream cheese. Lower heat to medium, cover and let cream cheese melt, stirring occasionally.
5. While cream cheese is melting, cook the pasta according to package directions.
6. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until melted.
7. When pasta is done, save ¼ cup of the water and then drain the pasta into a collander.
8. Add the saved pasta water to thr sauce mix. Then stir in the pasta.
9. Once pasta is evenly coated, top it with the remaining shredded cheese and cover to melt the cheese on top.
10. Serve immediately. Tortilla chips or strips make a great topping.