Ingredients
1 1/2 pound ground beef
2 packs taco seasoning
1 16 oz. jarred salsa (we used Taco Bell Salsa)
1 cup water
2 cups shredded mexican cheese
12 oz. cooked penne ziti pasta
Instructions
1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2
Cook pasta according to the package. Drain and set aside.
3
Brown ground beef in large skillet and drain grease.
4
Return ground meat to skillet, add water and taco seasoning. Mix together and bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook on low heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5
Add the cook pasta, salsa, and one cup of cheese to the meat mixture. Stir until completely mixed together.
6
Pour reminding cheese (1 cup) evenly on top of pasta and meat. Place skillet in 350 degree preheated oven and cook for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Using two packs of taco seasoning delivers a bold, well-seasoned beef mixture that infuses every bite of pasta with classic taco flavor.
- Taco Bell Salsa adds a tangy, smoky depth to the dish while keeping the sauce moist and cohesive without any extra prep.
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend melts beautifully both inside the pasta mixture and on top, creating a gooey interior and a golden, bubbly crust.
- Penne ziti's tubular shape is ideal for this dish as it traps the seasoned meat sauce inside each piece, maximizing flavor in every forkful.
- Browning and draining the ground beef before seasoning ensures a leaner, less greasy final dish with clean, concentrated taco flavor.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides an impressive amount of protein from the ground beef and cheese, making this a very filling and muscle-supporting meal.
- The Mexican cheese blend contributes a significant source of calcium, supporting bone health in each cheesy serving.
- Ground beef supplies a notable amount of iron and zinc, two minerals essential for immune function and energy metabolism.
- The salsa contributes lycopene from tomatoes and a modest boost of vitamin C, adding a small nutritional benefit to the dish.
- While this dish is indulgent, using 90% lean ground beef can meaningfully reduce total fat and saturated fat per serving.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories820
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat38 g72 g52.78%
- Saturated Fat17 g20 g85%
- Trans Fat1 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat14 g
- Cholesterol155 mg300 mg51.67%
- Sodium1820 mg2300 mg79.13%
- Total Carbohydrate68 g275 g24.73%
- Dietary Fiber4 g28 g14.29%
- Total Sugars7 g
- Added Sugars1 g50 g2%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein52 g50 g104%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)12 mcg20 mcg60%
- Calcium420 mg1300 mg32.31%
- Iron5 mg18 mg27.78%
- Potassium780 mg4700 mg16.6%
- Vitamin A1050 mcg900 mcg116.67%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)8 mg90 mg8.89%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1 mg15 mg6.67%
- Vitamin K6 mcg120 mcg5%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.5 mg1.3 mg38.46%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)8 mg16 mg50%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.6 mg1.7 mg35.29%
- Folate45 mcg400 mcg11.25%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)3.2 mcg2.4 mcg133.33%
- Biotin4 mcg30 mcg13.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.9 mg5 mg18%
- Choline110 mg550 mg20%
- Phosphorus520 mg1250 mg41.6%
- Iodine18 mcg150 mcg12%
- Magnesium55 mg420 mg13.1%
- Zinc8 mg11 mg72.73%
- Selenium38 mcg55 mcg69.09%
- Copper0.15 mg0.9 mg16.67%
- Manganese0.6 mg2.3 mg26.09%
- Chromium4 mcg35 mcg11.43%
- Molybdenum12 mcg45 mcg26.67%
- Chloride320 mg2300 mg13.91%
