Mexican Penne

Spice up your pasta night with this irresistible Mexican Penne—a bold and flavorful fusion of Italian comfort food and vibrant Mexican cuisine. This one-pan wonder combines tender penne pasta with hearty ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option), savory taco-seasoned sauce, and a medley of black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Topped with melted Mexican cheese blend and garnished with fresh cilantro and optional jalapeño slices, every bite packs a punch of cheesy, zesty deliciousness. Quick to prepare in just 35 minutes, this family-friendly recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it with a dollop of sour cream and watch it become a new dinnertime favorite. Ideal for fans of Mexican-American fusion recipes, this dish hits all the right notes of comfort, flavor, and versatility!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter version)
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 15 oz canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 15 oz canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup jarred salsa
• 1.5 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 1 medium jalapeño, sliced (for garnish, optional)
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 0.5 cup soured cream (for serving, optional)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 3

Add the ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 4

Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked meat. Stir to combine, ensuring the meat is evenly coated with the seasoning.

Step 5

Pour in the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and frozen corn. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the salsa and cooked penne pasta, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 7

Sprinkle the shredded Mexican cheese blend over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Step 8

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with sliced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy your Mexican Penne!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2763.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5098.8

Total Fat 268.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 119.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 807.5mg	0%
Sodium 11459.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 434.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 59.1g	0%
Total Sugars 42.6g
Protein 253.1g	0%

Vitamin D 76.9IU	0%
Calcium 3018.2mg	0%
Iron 36.4mg	0%
Potassium 5347.8mg	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: 46.7%

Protein: 19.6%

Carbs: 33.6%