Looking for a simple and delicious pasta recipe the whole family will love? My Cheesy Taco Pasta with Cream Cheese is easy and delicious! This creamy taco pasta skillet recipe is made with beef, cheese, pasta shells, and taco seasoning and takes just 20 minutes to make.
Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta with Cream Cheese
As a busy mom, I love making meals during the week that are delicious, flavorful, and most of all EASY to make.
This Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta with Cream Cheese is easily one of our family’s favorite and most requested pasta dishes, and is sure to fulfill your taco cravings!
This cheesy taco pasta recipe combines the wholesomeness of pasta with all the delicious flavors of cheesy, beef tacos and will be enjoyed by even the pickiest eaters out there.
This creamy taco pasta is made with light cream cheese and makes for a healthy balanced meal when paired with a fresh salad and corn.
Even better, you can have this creamy, cheesy taco pasta on your table in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect pasta recipe for busy weeknights.
Head over here to watch my video recipe tutorial, and don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel here for weekly recipes!
Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe
Cheesy Taco Pasta is always frequently requested in our household of taco and pasta lovers.
I love it because it’s delicious, but also because it can be made in just 20 minutes time and with just 6 ingredients!
What is Cheesy Taco Pasta?
Cheesy Taco Pasta is made with cooked pasta shells and a creamy, cheesy taco sauce made with ground beef, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning.
It’s a delicious and simple dinner choice for Taco Tuesday or any time you’re craving Mexican flavors.
What’s the Best Pasta Shell for Taco Pasta?
I prefer using shell noodles (small or medium), since it soaks up all the beef/cheese sauce, but you can also use macaroni noodles, rotini noodles, or any corkscrew type noodle.
Have spaghetti noodles? Try my One Pot Taco Spaghetti!
Taco Pasta Ingredients:
- Pasta Shells– I typically use small shells, but see other options above
- Ground Beef – I recommend using 80/20 or above
- Taco Seasoning – You’ll need one packet of your favorite seasoning or feel free to make your own homemade taco seasoning.
- Shredded Cheese – I recommend using Cheddar, Monterey jack, or Mexican blend
- Cream Cheese – This key ingredient makes this taco pasta so creamy and delicious! I use 1/3 fat to keep it lighter, but you can use full-fat, if desired.
- Water
Recommended Kitchen Tools:
- Saucepan with Strainer Lid
- Non-stick Skillet
- Oven-safe baking dish
- Rubber Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
>>Want more Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes? Check out 100 30-Minute Dinner Recipes Here <<
How to Make Creamy Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet
This delicious, cheesy taco pasta couldn’t be any easier to make and it’s so perfect for busy weeknights when you’re short on time!
Step 1: Boil Your Pasta + Cook Your Hamburger Meat
First, begin boiling water for your pasta shells and brown your ground beef or turkey in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain well.
Next, add your meat back into the pan and add in taco seasoning and water.
Stir well and let simmer on medium heat until liquid has reduced. (About 5 minutes total)
Step 2: Add Your Cream Cheese
Cut ½ block of softened cream cheese into small squares and add into the ground beef taco mixture.
Increase heat to medium/high and begin stirring in the cream cheese until evenly incorporated and the sauce is nice and creamy.
Step 3: Cook Noodles, Mix, and Add Cheese
Remove ground beef and cheese mixture from heat and set aside.
Cook your pasta shells until al dente and drain. Add noodles to beef and cream cheese taco mixture and mix well.
Immediately stir in 1 cup of cheese and mix until evenly combined.
Pour into an oven-safe baking dish and top with 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
I absolutely love these gorgeous ceramic baking dishes for casseroles and pasta dishes, and they’re dishwasher safe. (Plus they look really pretty for serving!)
Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe FAQ’s and Tips
What type of cream cheese is best for taco pasta with cream cheese?
I personally like using 1/3 reduced fat cream cheese for a nice in-between balance of creaminess, but you can use fat-free or full-fat cream cheese if you prefer.
Can I use homemade taco seasoning instead of store-bought seasoning?
Yes! You can use any taco seasoning you like, and if you use a homemade taco seasoning you will need 2 tablespoons to equal 1 packet.
Can I use leftover taco meat for cheesy taco pasta?
Yes! Leftover taco meat is great for this pasta and makes it even quicker to prepare!
For more easy ideas, check out 36 Leftover Taco Meat Recipes.
Can I freeze cheesy taco pasta?
Yes, this pasta does freeze up nicely. See my freezer instructions below.
Cheesy Taco Pasta Substitutes
This cheesy taco pasta is great because you can easily swap out ingredients to change up the flavors.
Below I’ve included some yummy substitutes and add-ins that will spice up the flavor in this taco pasta even more.
Don’t have any ground beef? Try these delicious options instead:
- Ground Turkey
- Diced Grilled Chicken
- Black Beans (for meat-free version)
Delicious Taco Pasta Add-In Ideas
Want to amp up the flavor and nutrition in this cheesy taco pasta? Try adding in these:
- Corn
- Diced Tomatoes
- Sautéed Peppers
- Sautéed Onions
Topping Ideas
Our family loves topping our cheesy taco pasta with these delicious toppings:
- Parsley
- Sliced Green Onion
- Fresh Salsa
- Sour Cream
How to Store Leftover Cheesy Taco Pasta
Refrigerator – Cool completely and store any leftover cheesy taco pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place individual servings in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds or until warm.
Freezer – Store in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months.
Once ready to eat, thaw in the fridge and re-heat individual servings in microwave for 30 second intervals or until warm.
Cheesy Taco Pasta Video Tutorial & Recipe
PrintEasy Cheesy Taco Pasta with Cream Cheese
My Cheesy Taco Pasta with Cream Cheese is easy and delicious! This creamy taco pasta skillet recipe is made with beef, cheese, pasta shells, and taco seasoning and takes just 20 minutes to make.
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Skillet, Pot
- Cuisine: American, Mexican
Ingredients
- 1/2 Box of 16 oz Shell Pasta Noodles
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef or Turkey – 80/20 or above preferred
- 1 envelope low sodium taco seasoning
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 block cream cheese (4 oz.) – I use 1/3 fat version
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (Cheddar, Mexican Blend, or Monterey Jack)
Instructions
- Begin boiling pasta according to package instructions.
- Brown ground beef in pan until fully cooked; Drain; Place beef back into pan and add taco seasoning and water. Stir well and let simmer on medium heat until liquid has reduced. (About 5 Minutes)
- Cut ½ block of cream cheese into small squares and add into ground beef taco mixture. Begin stirring in cream cheese and increase heat to medium/high until all cheese has been incorporated and sauce is creamy.
- Remove ground beef from heat; Drain pasta; Add pasta to ground beef and cream cheese mixture and stir until combined. Stir in 1 cup of cheese and mix until combined.
- Top taco pasta with remaining ½ cup of cheese and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes, or until cheese is perfectly melted.
- If desired, top your cheesy taco pasta with fresh herbs, salsa, and sour cream for added flavor, and pair with a salad for a delicious weeknight meal.
Notes
How to Store Leftover Cheesy Taco Pasta
Refrigerator – Cool completely and store any leftover cheesy taco pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place individual servings in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds or until warm.
Freezer – Store in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months.
Once ready to eat, thaw in the fridge and re-heat individual servings in microwave for 30 second intervals or until warm.
Keywords: Taco Pasta, Cheesy Taco Pasta, Creamy Taco Pasta, Ground Beef Pasta, Taco Pasta Skillet, Taco Pasta Recipe, Easy Taco Pasta, Weeknight Dinner, Easy Dinner Recipe, Cheesy Pasta
More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love:
- One Pot Taco Spaghetti
- One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta
- Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff
- Easy Cajun Chicken Alfredo
- Philly Cheesesteak Pasta Skillet
Hope you enjoyed today’s Cheesy Taco Pasta with Cream Cheese Recipe and I hope you’ll give this taco pasta a try this week!
Would your family love this creamy taco pasta recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for stopping by!- Cara
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You use 4oz of cream cheese?
Yes, that’s correct.
This is a great recipe. I love that you can make it in 20 minutes and that it is kid-friendly and budget-friendly. Thank you for allowing me to use this in my round up.
Thanks Kim! Can’t wait to see your finished post!
This was delicious!! We added salsa on top and served with corn.
So glad you loved it!
Only 4oz. of pasta? Is that correct?
Whoops I just now realized it’s supposed to be 1/2 of a 16 ounce box of pasta (8 ounces). Sorry about that!
That’s what I thought haha! I was like FOUR OZ.!? Lol
Well thank you so much! Can’t wait to make it!
Looks delicious. I’m going to give this a try tonight.
Looks very tasty Cara – thank you for sharing with Pin Worthy Wednesday!
Thanks, you should try it sometime! 🙂
This looks like something my hubby would like! Would love to have you share it on the What’s for Dinner linky.
http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-39/
Thank-you! I just added it to the link-up 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Thank-you!
Oh wow! This looks delicious and sounds like the perfect meal for my husband and I. We both love Mexican, but he really loves Italian too. Can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for linking up with us in the #BestoftheBlogosphere Link-Up! Hope to see you again tomorrow 🙂
Thanks Ashley! Hope you all enjoy making it 🙂
Yummm! This looks so good and so easy, too! Will definitely be giving this one a try!
Thanks Katie! It’s delicious, hope you’ll give it a go! 🙂
Oh! This looks like the perfect quick weeknight dinner! Pinned for later- can’t wait to try it! 🙂 thank you!
Thanks Melissa! 🙂
I don’t know how I missed this the other day, but this looks so delicious! Definitely trying it!
Thank-you! Hope you like it if you try it 🙂
Saw this on the Wonderful Wednesdays linky, it looks absolutely gorgeous! It’s my first time joining the linky so it’s awesome to see such amazing recipes up there!
Thanks Cliona! Glad to have you here and hope you’ll give this recipe a try 🙂
looks yummy!! and nice mix up from regular pasta!
Thank-you! I agree it’s a nice change of flavors 🙂
Yum! Looks like something my whole family would love. Pinning!
Thanks! Enjoy 🙂
I just sent this to my husband. It looks sooooo good. We have everything for this except for the cream cheese!
Evelina @ Fortunate House
Hope you all enjoy making it! It’s delicious 🙂
This looks amazingly delicious and I am such a sucker for quick, easy meals! Definitely going to try this out! Hope you’re having a great week so far! XO -Kim
Thanks Kim! Hope you enjoy it and that you’re having a good week! 🙂
This looks so yummy and so simple. I love a quick and easy meal 🙂
Thank-you! I do too 🙂
What a great simple weeknight dinner idea!
Thanks Heather! Makes for a quick and delicious meal! 🙂
Yum. Yum. Yum. I love this! Any Mexican food is totally up my alley. Thank you for sharing! I’m happy to have found your blog!
So happy to have you here, Molly! 🙂 This recipe is delicious!
i love taco dishes! this one looks very tasty
Thanks Michelle! 🙂
Could you add salsa in with the taco meat and cream cheese before adding the noodles?
Absolutely – That sounds yummy!
I love Mexican, so smart to use the pasta shells to make the recipe 🙂
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
I do too, Kusum! Thank-you!
Looks totally yummy! My family would LOVE this recipe! <3
We usually don’t have a lot of leftovers-haha. Thank-you!
Yum looks great, love the little recipe card you made!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
Thank-you! 🙂
This looks delicious! And simple, too!
Thank-you! It is 🙂
Looks easy and yummy! I’ve never had anything mixing taco and noodle, but I like both so I bet I’d like this!
It’s a delicious combination, Christine! Hope you’ll give it a try 🙂
This looks absolutely uh-maze-eeng!!!! I think I will do this
Thank-you! Enjoy it 🙂
That looks so delicious! My entire family would go crazy for it and I love that it is easy to make on a busy week night.
Thank-you! I love finding and sharing quick and easy recipes because I know we all have busy lives and don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen (or at least I don’t-haha)
I love simple and delicious looking meals like this – I pinned it for later… I can never ever say no to pasta! 🙂 🙂
Thank-you! I think you’ll enjoy it, Clare! 🙂
Oooooh! This sounds delicious! I’m pinning this to make later in the week! Thanks!
Hope you all enjoy it Samantha! It really is a great weeknight meal! 🙂
I love anything that is a take on Mexican Food!! This is a keeper! Yum!
Thank-you! Me too 🙂
Great for a weeknight! I love taco pasta. I also love mexican stuffed shells, similar to this but with salsa. I should make one or the other soon.
Thanks! Mexican stuffed shells are one of my favorites too, but it’s a bit more time consuming so I try to make it on the weekends, but definitely just as delicious!
Omg how yummy is this pasta?!?! I love all
Things taco so I will be giving this a try! Yum!
Thanks, it is delicious! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
This sounds delicious!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
Thank-you! 🙂
Ummmm why haven’t I ever heard of this?! i’m going to have to make my little this dish sometime 🙂
xo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries
My kids loved it, and I bet your little would too! 🙂
So quick and easy I’ll definitely be making this soon!
Thanks! Hope you all like it! 🙂
this looks so amazing. adding this of my list of recipes to put into rotation around here!
Thank-you! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Ooh this looks SO good! I think I’m gonna have to try this one out!
Thank-you! It tastes delicious!
that looks delicious. Bet my husband and mini-me would go crazy over this!
Thank-you! My kids loved it and they are both pretty picky! 🙂
This looks delicious!!! I have seen so many taco pasta recipes floating around but have never jumped on ones. Yours looks super yummy and I love shells! they are one of my favorite noodles. I may have to give this a go!
Thanks and you should! I’ve tried a couple out there that don’t have a lot of flavor to them, but this one is delicious! I especially like adding fresh parsley and salsa to mine for a little kick. 🙂
This looks really good! I’ll have to try it sometime. 🙂
Thank-you! 🙂
So, I’ll now be making that this week, haha! Thanks for sharing. This looks delicious!
I’m so glad you made it Jennifer, and that you all enjoyed it! 🙂
YUM! This would be a huge hit in my house 😀
Green Fashionista
It’s delicious, Kate! Enjoy if you try it!
This looks so yummy! I never would have thought about having tacos in pasta form but now I need to try it.
Rachel | http://www.seashellsandsparkles.com
Thank-you! It’s a great combination! 🙂
Oh Cara you have combined two of our favorites, pasta and taco. Way to go!
That’s awesome Candy! I love tacos in any form or fashion as well-haha 🙂
Gaaaaah so yum!! I have made something similar to this before and my husband LOVED it. Must try your recipe!
Awesome! There wasn’t hardly any leftovers once my husband got ahold of it-haha.
You had me at taco, and then added pasta… Two of my favorite things!
Haha the combination is delicious! Hope you’ll give it a try! 🙂
Yum! Looks delicious and I think my husband would love it.
Thank-you! Hope ya’ll enjoy! 🙂
I am a sucker for anything with pasta shells!!!
Me too! You could definitely omit the meat or substitute black beans and I’m sure it would still taste wonderful 🙂
This looks delicious and so easy. My boys love tacos and pasta, so I’m sure they’ll love this!!
They would love this then, Emily! Thank-you!
Oh this sounds so delish!! I love how easy it is to make and so kid friendly!
My kids loved it, and they’re pretty picky! Hope you’ll give it a try 🙂
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it ?
Thank-you! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
This would definitely make my husband happy! It perfectly easy and crowd-pleasing. Thanks for sharing!
If he’s a pasta and/or taco lover he’ll love it! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
YUMMY!! Looks so good, hearty and easy! Definitely going in the meal rotation! Have a wonderful day gorgeous!!
Thank-you! You too 🙂
Definitely pinning this! Love that it’s so easy and it looks so delish! I mean, you can’t go wrong with pasta and taco! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Thank-you! I agree! 🙂
Oh, that looks yummy. I love easy meals like this.
Thank-you! 🙂
I love all things PASTA! I can’t get enough of the stuff. it’s amazing really, that I don’t weigh 900 lbs! What an easy and fun looking dish!
Haha, my husband is the same way and could eat pasta every day. Thank-you!
Oh my gosh Cara. Now you have me craving Mexican!!! Yummmy!
It’s delicious Chelsea, give it a try one night! 🙂