30-Minute Taco Rigatoni and Cheese
30-Minute Taco Rigatoni and Cheese is a creamy, dreamy and tasty pasta. This will save your time and money all while feeding a crowd. A special topping of Dorito Nacho Cheese chips is the special ingredient. This dish has all of the flavor and texture you want in a perfect pasta dinner.
30-Minute Taco Rigatoni and Cheese is one of those perfect weeknight dinners that comes together in a flash. No matter the craziness that’s going on with kids running around and all of the other family nighttime chaos, this dinner is extremely easy to throw together. This pasta is packed full of flavor and very creamy cheesy goodness. This is always a favorite in my household. This is a great dinner that anybody can make at home.
Ground beef is one of the best meats when it comes to putting together a fast weeknight meal. It cooks very quickly and it’s so versatile. Pasta is always a great option when you need a budget friendly meal for a crowd. So pasta and ground beef make the perfect pair. American Chop Suey and Pepperoni Pizza Pasta are favorites when you want a quick ground beef and pasta combo.
When we’re talking about a weeknight dinner, I completely understand that things can get hectic and you need dinner to be as no-fuss as possible. I always remember back to weeks when I was working 40+ hours and still having to make dinner and take Aidan to football practice and other activities. All the while being super pregnant with Dylan. I have a large family that I’m close to and I became my family matriarch at 25. So I help a lot of different family members a lot of the time and I’ve always got my hands full. The demands on a working wife and mother can be brutal and dinner is definitely not one more thing you want adding stress to your plate.
That’s where dinners like this come in handy. This is a very easy to follow recipe that even the newest of home chefs would have a breeze following. Dinners like this remove the stress of having to make a difficult and time consuming meal. Pasta dinners, sheet pan meals and slow cooker dishes are lifesavers for the busy parent. If you find yourself in a weeknight time crunch or you want something quick, be sure to try Shrimp Scampi, Sheet Pan Sausage, Pepper & Onion or Mexican Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken.
Substitutions
Rigatoni: I love Rigatoni. It has a wonderful bite because it’s a larger pasta and it sucks up this cheesy taco sauce. Use whatever pasta you love for this dish. Everything from elbow macaroni to cavatappi to shells or rotini will pair deliciously.
Ground beef: Ground beef and taco flavorings are a classic combination. However, if you want to give this dish a little reinvention, then you may want to give ground chicken, pork or chorizo a try.
Dorito’s Nacho Cheese Chips: Prior to using the Dorito’s to add a little bit of crunch, I used to use Tostito chips. Cool Ranch Dorito’s or crushed up taco shells would also be tasty.
Salsa: Salsa is a very important ingredient in this dish. Not only does it add tomato but also garlic, onion and other flavors that add to this meal. If you are without salsa, you could use a can of diced tomatoes or chop up some fresh tomatoes for a little added brightness.
Instructions
Heat a pan sprayed skillet on medium heat and add ground beef, creole seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Brown the beef until cooked through, about 15 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Put the pasta pot back on the stove on medium heat. Add whole milk, salsa, 6 ounces of taco cheese, butter, cumin, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir for 1 minute. Add the cooked ground beef and rigatoni to the pot. Stir until everything is fully combined for 2 minutes. Add the remaining 4 ounces of taco cheese and stir for additional 1-2 minutes. Add the crushed Dorito’s Nacho Cheese chips. Stir to mix with the pasta and serve.
Let me know in the comments below what your favorite weeknight meal is. Did you make any substitutions to your 30-Minute Taco Rigatoni and Cheese? If you’re a huge ground beef fan like I am, be sure to try Tater Tot Casserole. As always, I appreciate your time and I thank you for supporting Spice and Sugar Mama!
30-Minute Taco Rigatoni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1.5 Pounds ground beef
- 1 Teaspoon creole seasoning
- 1 + 1 Teaspoon salt
- ½ + ½ Teaspoon black pepper
- 16 Ounces rigatoni
- ½ Cup whole milk
- ⅓ Cup mild or hot salsa
- 6 + 4 Ounces taco cheese
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 1 Teaspoon cumin
- 1 Teaspoon chili powder
- 3 Ounces Dorito's Nacho Cheese chips crushed
Instructions
- Heat a pan sprayed skillet on medium heat and add ground beef, creole seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Brown the beef until cooked through, about 15 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Put the pasta pot back on the stove on medium heat. Add whole milk, salsa, 6 ounces of taco cheese, butter, cumin, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir for 1 minute.
- Add the cooked ground beef and rigatoni to the pot. Stir until everything is fully combined for 2 minutes. Add the remaining 4 ounces of taco cheese and stir for additional 1-2 minutes. Add the crushed Dorito's Nacho Cheese chips. Stir to mix with the pasta and serve.
Looks awesome!!!
Thank you! 🙂
Simple quick and delicious! A definite favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much!