El Paso Pasta Bake

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this bold and flavorful El Paso Pasta Bake, a Tex-Mex-inspired twist on classic comfort food. Perfectly al dente penne pasta is tossed with a hearty blend of seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, and vibrant bell peppers, then smothered in a melty blanket of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Infused with zesty taco seasoning and topped with optional fresh cilantro, this baked dish delivers the ultimate combination of rich, cheesy goodness and southwest spice. Ready in under an hour and easy to prep ahead, it’s the ideal crowd-pleaser for family dinners or casual gatherings. Serve it straight from the oven for an irresistible meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple! Keywords: El Paso Pasta Bake, Tex-Mex pasta recipe, cheesy pasta bake, weeknight dinner, taco pasta bake.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 15 oz canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or olive oil and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6–7 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.

Step 5

Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes (with their juices), black beans, corn, and diced red bell pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the beef and vegetable mixture. Mix until evenly coated.

Step 7

Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 9

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2409.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4595.8

Total Fat 232.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 110.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 713.2mg	0%
Sodium 9686.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 402.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 56.0g	0%
Total Sugars 27.5g
Protein 239.3g	0%

Vitamin D 24IU	0%
Calcium 2816.7mg	0%
Iron 33.8mg	0%
Potassium 4491.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.9%

Protein: 20.6%

Carbs: 34.6%