Tex-Mex Pasta

Some days, time just gets away from you, and that beautiful roast chicken you had every intention of preparing has to wait another day. That’s when recipes you can literally toss together, like this Tex-Mex pasta, save the day. Made with just five basic pantry staples and ready in around 30 minutes, there’s no need to panic, wondering, “What do I feed my family now?”

A spicy, creamy sauce made with a can of condensed soup, Mexican cheese and your favorite salsa coats al dente pasta and hearty ground beef. Our favorite part of this 30-minute pasta recipe is its customizability. Let your creative side loose to create your own recipe with extra vegetables, fresh herbs or a different protein.

Tex-Mex Pasta Ingredients

• Spiral pasta: The cheesy sauce clings easily to rotini pasta, but you can opt for another pasta shape like cavatappi, penne, rigatoni or macaroni.
• Ground beef: Ground beef is economical and goes far. Use a leaner 80/20 blend for the best flavor.
• Salsa: Spicy, mild or somewhere in between? Choose the heat level that suits your taste preferences. You can grab a jar of your favorite store-bought or use homemade salsa.
• Cream of chicken soup: Many casseroles start with a can of condensed soup. It’s a shortcut ingredient we like to keep stocked in our pantry for dinner emergencies. You can also make this recipe with cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup.
• Mexican cheese: A pasta recipe without at least a little cheese isn’t complete. Pre-shredded Mexican cheese keeps things simple, but you could grate a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar fresh from the block for a similar taste.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta according to its package directions.

Editor’s Tip: Don’t forget to season your pasta water. This simple step significantly improves the taste and texture of the cooked pasta.

Step 2: Brown the beef

Meanwhile, cook the beef in a Dutch oven over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain the meat to remove excess fat and moisture, then stir in the salsa, soup and 1/2 cup cheese. Continue to cook until heated through.

Step 3: Combine and bake

Drain the pasta and combine it with the meat mixture. Transfer to a greased 11×7-inch baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the cheese melts, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Tex-Mex Pasta Variations

• Swap the protein: Go lean with ground chicken or turkey, or make it spicy with ground chorizo sausage. You can also use extra rotisserie chicken or leftover pulled pork.
• Make it vegetarian: Skip the meat and stir a can of rinsed and drained black beans into the pasta. You could also substitute a pound of plant-based meat crumbles for the ground beef.
• Change the cheese: Use any melting cheeses in this recipe. Try pepper jack cheese for extra heat, or experiment with fontina, smoked Gouda or Chihuahua cheese.
• Add veggies: Add nutritional value to this Tex-Mex pasta casserole with diced red bell pepper, sliced black olives, sauteed onion, fresh corn kernels, or a can (drained) of green chiles or diced tomatoes.
• Garnish with herbs and fresh toppings: Don’t forget toppings! Treat this Tex-Mex pasta like a plate of nachos with your favorite toppings. A dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado, additional salsa, chopped cilantro and a sprinkle of diced green onions are just a few considerations.

How to Store Tex-Mex Pasta

Store Tex-Mex pasta in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

How do you reheat Tex-Mex pasta?

Our favorite way to reheat pasta recipes that contain cheese and dairy is gently on the stovetop in a covered skillet with a splash of milk. Cook it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it is creamy and heated through. If you’re in a rush (or on the go), you can reheat Tex-Mex pasta in a covered microwave-safe container. For the best results, warm it gently at 50 to 75% power in one-minute increments, stirring after each, until heated through.

Tex-Mex Pasta Tips

How do you make Tex-Mex pasta without condensed soup?

You can make your own if you don’t enjoy cooking with canned condensed soup. Try our top-rated cream soup mix recipe or go for a batch of homemade cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup.

What can you serve with Tex-Mex pasta?

This Tex-Mex pasta would pair well with a skillet of homemade cheesy Mexican cornbread or a vat of homemade guacamole with tortilla chips for dipping. Try a bowl of esquites or a Mexican layered salad for a healthy offering.