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    Easy Creamy Taco Bake

    Pasta Main Courses Vegetarian Recipes May 12, 2020 | By Kristen Chidsey | 20 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    This Simple Cheesy Taco Pasta makes a perfect meatless meal! This taco pasta bake requires minimal prep, pantry ingredients and tastes just like a taco!

    This Simple Cheesy Taco Bake makes a perfect meatless meal! This taco pasta bake requires minimal prep, pantry ingredients and tastes just like a taco!

    Baked Taco Pasta in white casserole dish

    Easy Meatless Taco Pasta

    If you are looking for an EASY, frugal meal, this Meatless Pasta Bake is the recipe for you!

    It is a simple meal made with basic pantry ingredients that picky eaters are sure to love.

    This meal is as simple as tossing cooked pasta with tomato sauce, salsa, and spices with sour cream and cheese.

    While meatless, it still has a Mexican flair that is reminiscent of tacos--and who doesn't love tacos?

    So whether you are looking for a quick dinner from your pantry staples, a meatless meal, a family-pleasing meal, or the perfect meal for a busy weeknight--this Easy, Cheesy Taco Bake is for you!

    How to Make Baked Taco Pasta

    • Prepare noodles according to package directions.
      • elbow noodles, or rotini work best for this recipe.
    • Mix cooked noodles with salsa, taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and sour cream together.
      • Pro Tip: Blend salsa up if you have picky eaters that do not like to find chunks in their meals!
    • Pour taco noodle mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
    • Top with cheese.
    • Bake until creamy and bubbly.

    Baked Taco Pasta in white casserole dish

    A Few Notes

    • Use mild salsa to keep this taco bake kid-friendly.
    • Blend salsa up if you have picky eaters that do not like to find chunks in their meals!
    • Feel free to add in taco meat or beans to bulk this meal up. Or prepare this one-pot Taco Pasta with taco meat instead.
    • Prepare this dish in advance up to baking. Cover and then bake as directed. You may need an additional 10 minutes longer for cook time, as pasta is cold.

    More Meatless Meals

    • Easy Baked Rotini
    • Vegetarian Lentil Chili
    • Easy Lentil Tacos with Avocado Cream
    • Tuscan Pasta with White Beans and Tomatoes

    Easy Taco Pasta Bake

    Easy Creamy Meatless Taco Pasta Bake

    All the flavors of tacos, in an easy, meatless casserole dish made with pasta, sour cream, cheese, and salsa. This simple recipe requires minimal prep, pantry ingredients and tastes just like a taco!
    4.83 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 172kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 1 box 16 ounces whole wheat elbow pasta
    • 1 cup salsa or rotel tomatoes
    • 1 16 ounce can tomato sauce
    • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Boil pasta for 2 minutes less than package states.
    • Mix together the spices with the salsa, tomato sauce, and sour cream with the cooked pasta. Pour into 2 quart casserole dish and top with cheese.
    • Bake for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 865mg | Potassium: 239mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1040IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

     

    « Peanut Butter Dog Treats
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    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Jennifer

      March 10, 2023 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve been making this for years at this point and have to thank you for sharing such a tasty and easy recipe.

      My husband and I have used this recipe when money is tight but we still want something yummy. When we have the ingredients and the budget allows it we sometimes add beans, chopped spinach, or corn. Or we’ll add it all and it’s just delish.

      Try this recipe as is and you won’t regret it. I’ve had a few friends who needed the recipe once they tried it.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 11, 2023 at 7:26 am

        I love hearing that this was a meal you enjoyed when money was tight! And thank you for sharing this recipe with others!

        Reply
    2. Christa

      March 28, 2020 at 8:04 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, there! Would love to make this, but i’m not a fan of sour cream. Does that flavor come through on the final product?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 29, 2020 at 8:13 am

        Hi Christa, the sour cream just adds some creaminess to this bake. Feel free to use softened cream cheese instead or omit--but the dish will not be as creamy.

        Reply
    3. Kim Q.

      January 23, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      This was fantastic! It can be difficult to find recipes that my vegetarian daughter who doesn't particularly like vegetables enjoys, but this was perfect. It is hard to beat a simple recipe that is also a crowd-pleaser. I am so pleased to have found this recipe!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 24, 2020 at 7:19 am

        I am so glad that this simple recipe pleased your family Kim! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    4. Caitlin

      October 21, 2019 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      This is great! I added In a can of black beans and it tired out really yummy! Tips definitely made more than 6 servings though! I have enough for a small army so we will be eating leftovers for the rest of the week. Can I assume this doesn't freeze well after its been baked because of the noodles?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 21, 2019 at 5:47 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed Caitlin! You can actually freeze after baking, but just keep in mind you may need to loosen up the sauce once defrosted.

        Reply
    5. Tabitha

      August 12, 2019 at 5:00 pm

      5 stars
      My kids have asked for leftover two days in a row! Even wanting dinner early so they can eat it. Lol. I crumble up some tortilla chips with it

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 12, 2019 at 9:43 pm

        Oh I love hearing how much your kids love this Tabitha! And great idea to add texture.

        Reply
    6. Nicole

      December 08, 2015 at 3:47 pm

      5 stars
      I showed this to my husband who's a big taco fan. Since it seems so easy to bake, he promise to do one for me soon!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 09, 2015 at 8:52 am

        YEA!!!! Nothing beats your spouse making you dinner. Enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Christina @ Juggling Real Food and Real Life

      December 04, 2015 at 12:34 pm

      Hi Kristen! This recipe looks delicious. I've already printed it out and I'm going to make it for my family this week. Obviously, I could make this with any shape pasta, but I was wondering if you have a certain brand of whole wheat elbow that you use? I actually have a hard time finding the elbow and it really drives me crazy. Thanks a bunch! I so appreciate you sharing this with our Let's Get Real readers. They are going to love this one.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        December 05, 2015 at 2:08 pm

        I always can find whole wheat pasta at Walmart believe it or not.

        Reply
    8. Alida

      November 30, 2015 at 3:25 pm

      This is my kind of weeknight meal - easy, tasty, and versatile. Love it!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 30, 2015 at 6:31 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
    9. allie @ Through Her Looking Glass

      November 30, 2015 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      Dear Kristen , I am baked out too. This looks perfect for a dinner this week. The cheese means it's a meal everyone in my house will love!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 30, 2015 at 11:52 am

        Totally easy and cheesy, Allie. Perfect for your family!

        Reply
    10. Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

      November 30, 2015 at 7:26 am

      This sounds delicious!! I love mexican food 🙂 YAY For meatless recipes!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        November 30, 2015 at 11:53 am

        Yay for meatless and mexican!

        Reply

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    This Simple Cheesy Taco Pasta makes a perfect meatless meal! This taco pasta bake requires minimal prep, pantry ingredients and tastes just like a taco!

    Meet Kristen

    Kristen Chidsey with apron on in front of vegetables in kitchen.

    Hi! I'm Kristen. It is my honor and passion to share easy, wholesome recipes with you to in turn share your loved ones. These tried and true recipes will help you make delicious, family-friendly meals without stress! Read more

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