Description
Creamy taco temptation pasta bake combines zesty Mexican flavors with comforting pasta textures. Cheesy layers and spicy seasonings promise a delightful meal that satisfies hearty appetites.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 500 g (1.1 lbs) ground beef
- 200 g (7 oz) cream cheese
- 300 g (10.5 oz) ziti noodles
- 150 g (5.3 oz) grated cheese (like cheddar or Mexican blend)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal baking atmosphere for this tantalizing pasta dish.
- Pasta Foundation: Cook ziti noodles in generously salted water until achieving a perfect al dente consistency, then drain thoroughly.
- Meat Transformation: Brown ground beef in a skillet, breaking it into fine crumbles, then drain excess fat and infuse with taco seasoning and water to create a robust, spicy mixture.
- Creamy Integration: Fold cream cheese into the seasoned beef, stirring until the cheese melts completely and blends seamlessly with the meat.
- Layering Strategy: Construct the pasta bake by spreading half the cooked ziti across the baking dish, followed by a generous sprinkle of grated cheese, then evenly distribute the beef and cream cheese mixture.
- Final Assembly: Top with remaining ziti noodles and complete the dish with a lavish coating of grated cheese, ensuring full coverage.
- Baking Finale: Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece with crispy edges.
Notes
- Pasta Precision: Cook ziti exactly 7-8 minutes for the ideal al dente texture, preventing mushy or undercooked noodles.
- Fat Management: Thoroughly drain beef fat to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Incorporate cream cheese slowly, stirring constantly to create a smooth, uniform sauce without lumps.
- Layering Strategy: Distribute ingredients evenly in layers to guarantee every bite delivers maximum flavor and texture combination.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg