When you need an easy taco casserole that tastes comforting, cheesy, and satisfying, this Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Bake is a great weeknight dinner. Made with taco seasoning, ground beef, hearty pasta noodles, enchilada sauce, and a creamy homemade cheese sauce, this baked taco pasta casserole comes together in about 30 minutes.

Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Bake

This Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Bake is the kind of dinner that brings together two favorite comfort foods in one pan: taco night and creamy baked pasta. It has the bold flavor of taco seasoning, the richness of a homemade cheese sauce, tender pasta, and savory ground beef baked under a layer of melted cheese.

The result is a simple, family-friendly taco pasta casserole that feels hearty without being complicated. It uses everyday ingredients, does not require hard-to-find spices, and is easy enough to make on a busy night.

This is not meant to be an authentic Mexican dish. It is a cozy, Mexican-inspired pasta bake made for home cooks who want a filling dinner with familiar flavors. Serve it with cornbread muffins, a simple salad, or your favorite taco toppings for a complete meal.

Easy Taco Bake

This easy taco bake has earned a place in the regular weeknight dinner rotation because it is quick, cheesy, and dependable. The pasta cooks while the beef browns, and the sauce comes together in the same skillet, which helps keep the recipe simple.

Think of it as a cross between taco casserole and macaroni and cheese. The taco seasoning and enchilada sauce bring warm, savory flavor, while the cheese sauce coats every piece of pasta. Large noodles such as rigatoni or ziti work especially well because they hold the sauce and bake up beautifully.

This recipe is straightforward comfort food. It is not fancy, and it does not need to be. It is creamy, beefy, flavorful, and perfect when you want a dinner that everyone can scoop onto a plate and enjoy.

Why This Taco Macaroni Works

• It combines taco flavors with homemade macaroni and cheese for a rich, comforting pasta bake.
• The recipe is ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
• It uses common pantry and refrigerator ingredients, including taco seasoning, enchilada sauce, pasta, ground beef, milk, and cheese.
• The casserole can be assembled ahead of time, which makes it useful for potlucks, parties, and casual family dinners.
• It is flexible. Ground turkey or ground chicken can be used instead of ground beef, and the cheese can be adjusted to suit your taste.

To make this Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Bake, you will need:

• Taco seasoning
• Enchilada sauce
• All-purpose flour
• Butter
• Milk
• Chicken stock
• Cheddar cheese and/or Monterey Jack cheese
• Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and optional cayenne powder
• Ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken
• Large pasta noodles such as ziti or rigatoni

How To Make Mexican Pasta

To make this taco pasta casserole, preheat your oven to 375 degrees and spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the time listed on the package. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so slightly undercooking it helps keep it from becoming too soft. Drain the pasta and set it aside.

While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is no longer pink. Drain the grease, transfer the meat to a plate or bowl, and set it aside.

Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly. This creates the base for the cheese sauce.

Pour in the milk and chicken stock, then whisk until the mixture is smooth and combined. Bring it to a low boil so it can thicken slightly.

Stir in the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, optional cayenne powder, taco seasoning, and enchilada sauce. Add most of the cheese, reserving some for the top. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.

Add the cooked beef and drained pasta to the skillet with the cheese sauce. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve warm.

Pro Tips for Perfect Cheesy Taco Pasta

• Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef.
• Serve with sour cream and diced tomatoes on top, if desired.
• Any short pasta can be used, but rigatoni or ziti are excellent choices because they hold the sauce well.
• Use regular taco seasoning for a mild casserole, or choose a spicy taco seasoning packet if you prefer more heat.
• Homemade enchilada sauce works well, but canned enchilada sauce is a convenient option.
• For the best texture, grate cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese. Packaged shredded cheese can sometimes bake up greasy.
• If Monterey Jack cheese bakes up too oily for your preference, use sharp cheddar and add diced jalapenos or a small amount of dried jalapeno powder for flavor.

Make Ahead Beef Taco Pasta

To make this beef taco pasta bake ahead of time, prepare the casserole up to the point of baking. Let it cool to room temperature, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for 1 to 2 days.

When you are ready to serve it, bake as directed, adding about 10 extra minutes to the cooking time or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted.

More Easy Dinner Recipes

• Tequila Lime Chicken with Tomato Corn Salad
• Crispy Baked Lemon Chicken and Veggies
• Broccoli Ham and Cheese Casserole
• One Pan Keto Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken
• Teriyaki Chicken Meatball Bowl

Enjoy ♥ Heather

Update Notes: This post was originally published in March of 2020 and was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in August of 2023.