South of the Border Pasta

Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with South of the Border Pasta, a vibrant fusion of Tex-Mex flavors and comforting Italian cuisine. This hearty dish features tender penne pasta tossed in a creamy, zesty sauce packed with seasoned ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and sweet corn. The addition of taco seasoning and creamy cheeses—cream cheese and shredded cheddar—creates an irresistible, velvety Tex-Mex-inspired sauce that clings to every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this quick and easy one-pan meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Serve it up with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a pop of color and bold flavor. South of the Border Pasta is sure to be your new family favorite for a satisfying, savory dinner!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (15 ounces, drained and rinsed) black beans
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 4 ounces, softened cream cheese
• 1 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional for garnish) cilantro
• 0.5 teaspoon, or to taste salt
• 0.25 teaspoon, or to taste 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

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up into crumbles with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir well to coat. Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies (with their juices), black beans, and corn. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Step 6

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.

Step 7

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy your zesty South of the Border Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2162.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4045.4

Total Fat 192.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.3g
Cholesterol 489.3mg	0%
Sodium 7484.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 407.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.6g	0%
Total Sugars 33.8g
Protein 175.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 920.5mg	0%
Iron 28.4mg	0%
Potassium 3552.0mg	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: 42.7%

Protein: 17.3%

Carbs: 40.0%