Bring some pasta into the mix next Taco Tuesday with this Taco Pasta Toss that has all of the flavors of tacos in a family friendly pasta dish.
Photos Updated August 2015
Originally posted March 27, 2010 – I have been obsessed with all things taco lately. Who am I kidding – I’m always obsessed with everything taco!! This easy Taco Pasta Toss combines those favorite taco flavors with pasta – so you know it’s going to be a winner. This is super easy for a weeknight or for a busy weekend when it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. I’ll take my tacos in any form – and this Taco Pasta Toss is a great way to switch things up!
The original post follows:
This recipe is a keeper! I know that just about everyone loves taco night. So whenever I see a taco themed recipe, I always want to try it! This was as good as I was hoping for. A great twist on your normal taco night! The original recipe calls for penne pasta, but you can just used whatever short pasta you have on hand. In fact, this is a great recipe for those nights when you are scrambling, because I’m sure these ingredients are ones you usually have on hand!
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Taco Pasta Toss
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large jalapeño halved, seeded and minced (reduce amount added for less heat)
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or beef stock
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or monterey jack
- 2 small plum tomatoes seeded and chopped
- 1/4 head iceberg lettuce or 1/2 small heart of romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 avocado diced
- a handful of cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then generously salt it. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Return the pasta to the pot.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 5 minutes.
- Reserve 1/4 of the onion, and add the remaining 3/4 to the ground beef along with the jalapeno, garlic, chili powder, coriander and cumin. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and let it cook for an additional minute, then stir in the stock.
- Add the beef mixture to the pasta and toss to combine. Pour the mixture into a large serving dish, and top with the cheese. Tent with a piece of foil and allow the cheese to melt, about 1 minute.
- Top each serving with the reserved onion, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado and cilantro.
Recipe Notes:
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Becki says
I love recipes that are kind of a mix-up of flavors like this. Tacos in pasta form sounds delicious to me and I also like adding some of the mixins on top like the lettuce and tomato to give it some fresh flavors – yum!!
Becky says
Yummo. Made this last night for supper, with a couple tweaks.
Sophie says
Very cool idea! 🙂
I am always, and I mean always, running out of ideas about what to do with ground meat. I'm saving this recipe.
teresa says
oh this is a fun idea, i have a rr book that really needs to get used. the pasta looks great!
Chef Aimee says
This sounds good – I would make it with turkey! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
A Feast for the Eyes says
Rachael Ray gets a bad rap, and she doesn't completely deserve it. I have several of her recipes posted, that are on my regular rotation. I just don't like her talk show at all, because she's over-the-top for me. BUT, she does teach people that you don't need processed food, or packaged mixes to whip up something fast. I'd love to play along, and thanks for doing this. How recent does a RR recipe have to be on our blogs?
Oh, I almost forgot. I think this is a clever way to get tacos with pasta. I'd definitely want to make this one.
Barbara says
That sounds like fun…and although I am not a Rachael Ray fan, I look forward to reading about everyone else's recipes!
The taco/pasta toss looks wonderful! And the pasta looks like whole wheat too. Which I much prefer for its nuttiness!
grace says
sometimes rachael's recipes excite me, and this is one of those times. what a great dish–kudos to both of ya! 🙂
Julie says
We love tacos, and this looks like a great way to change things up a bit. Yum!
Madeline says
Love your idea! Every meal is a Rachael Ray meal in my house…. No one believes me, but I swear it is true.
Thanks for starting such a fun feature.
Kim says
Taco Pasta Toss sounds delicious to me!
Great idea to have a Rachel Ray Day. I'm looking forward to checking out all the yummy recipes:D
Joanne says
I love to use Rach's recipes as jumping off points for my own dinners. They are always so quick and easy!
Anything taco-based sounds good to me! Mexican food is a personal favorite and this looks quite delicious.