If you enjoy pasta casserole, but you want a change of pace, this Mexican Ground Beef Pasta Bake is a great option.  You can also try different pasta noodles to make it even more fun to eat. The bell peppers and taco seasoning add to the flavor, yet it isn’t spicy, which makes it also a kid friendly dinner.  Layers of pasta, ground beef, cheese, and sliced bell peppers come together to make a hearty and delicious lunch or dinner.  I used store bought bell peppers that were frozen and already sliced, but I will use fresh bell peppers once the local farmer markets begin opening for the season.

Method:

Begin by browning the ground beef in a skillet.

While the ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta according to the directions.  I used a spiral pasta, but any shape or type of pasta can be used.

Once the ground beef is cooked (drain if needed), stir in the taco seasoning, tomato sauce, bell peppers and all of the spices.

Next, you will stir everything together and bring it to a boil.

While the ground beef mixture is boiling, combine the pasta, half of the cheese, and all of the sour cream in a separate bowl.

Spoon all of the pasta mixture into a 2-qt. baking dish.

Then, spoon all of the meat mixture on top of the pasta.

Spread the remaining shredded cheese on top.

You are ready to put the dish in the oven!

Once everything is heated through and the cheese is melted, take the dish out of the oven.  Let it cool a bit before serving and enjoy.

Mexican Ground Beef Pasta Bake

January 20, 2021

Servings: 6-8

Difficulty: Easy

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A simple version of a ground beef and pasta casserole bake recipe, except this version includes a bit of taco seasoning and bell peppers for flavor.

By: The Lakes

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup chopped bell peppers (and kind)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• cooked noodles
• 1-2 cups shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Directions

• Step 1 Brown the ground beef in a skillet.
• Step 2 While the ground beef is browning, cook the pasta according to the package directions. You can use anywhere from 8-16 ounces of pasta (before it is cooked), depending on how much pasta you like in your casserole.
• Step 3 After the ground beef is browned, add the taco seasoning, tomatoes sauce, bell peppers (any kind), and spices to the pan. Bring everything to a boil.
• Step 4 Combine the pasta, sour cream, and half of the cheese mixture in a bowl. Once it’s mixed, spoon it (all of it) into a baking dish.
• Step 5 Then, spread all of the meat mixture on top.
• Step 6 Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the meat mixture.
• Step 7 Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (or until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through).

If you like this Mexican Ground Beef Pasta Bake Recipe, here are a few other recipes that might interest you:

One Pot Ground Beef and Beans Macaroni

Ground Beef Chili Con Carne with Beans – Like Canned Chili, But Better and From Scratch

Enchilada Pie

Chili Relleno Casserole

This is almost a lasagna type of casserole that is simple to make for family and company.  The ingredients are minimal – only 6, and many of these you might already have in the kitchen.  This recipe can easily be doubled to make an extra casserole to freeze.

To make this quick recipe, brown the ground beef and cook it thoroughly.

Add in the jar of spaghetti sauce.  I let it simmer while the pasta is cooking.

Cook the pasta according to the package directions, and then drain the noodles.

Spread half of the the ground beef and spaghetti mixture in the pan.

Add all of the noodles over the ground beef and spaghetti sauce mixture.

Spread the other half of the meat mixture over the noodles.

Cut the cream cheese into cubes and spread the cubes across the cream cheese mixture.  I did the same with the sour cream, except I used a spoon to place the dollops of sour cream across the top.  I think this is much easier and more efficient than mixing the sour cream and cream cheese together in another bowl and using more dishes.

Sprinkle the top with any shredded cheese that you prefer.  Then you are ready to place the casserole in the oven.

Bake the casserole in the oven for about 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated all the way through.

If you liked this recipe, you should also try the Ricotta Cheese and Ground Beef Spaghetti Bake Recipe.

Ground Beef and Cream Cheese Pasta Casserole

December 9, 2020

Servings: 6-8

Prep: 10 min

Cook: 30 min

Total: 40 min

Difficulty: Easy

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A lasagna type casserole that is so simple and easy to make using only 6 ingredients. Layers of pasta, ground beef, spaghetti sauce, and cheese make a delicious dinner any day of the week.

By: The Lakes

Ingredients

• 1 - 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
• 1 26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
• 16 ounces of pasta - any kind
• 1 package of cream cheese - 8 oz
• 1 cup sour cream
• 16 ounces of cheese

Directions

• Step 1 Brown the ground beef, and then add the spaghetti sauce.
• Step 2 Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain them.
• Step 3 Place half of the ground beef and spaghetti sauce mixture at the bottom of a 9×13″ baking dish.
• Step 4 Place all of the pasta on top, and then add the remaining meat mixture on top.
• Step 5 Add the cream cheese and sour cream by placing dollops over the meat mixture.
• Step 6 Spread the shredded cheese across the top.
• Step 7 Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through.