Taco Pasta

by Erin, The $5 Dinner Mom on August 18, 2009

taco-pasta

This meal is “Dad Approved” and “Kid Approved!”  The Hubs had a taste as he made his way through the kitchen after getting home…and he declared this Taco Pasta as “Dad Approved!”

Ingredients
1.8 lb. ground beef ($2.14) Divided into 2 meals…$1.07 for this meal!
1 6 oz. can tomato paste ($.39) Bought last week on sale with coupon
1 15 oz. can kidney beans ($.83)
2 garlic cloves ($.10)
1 Tbsp ground cumin ($.10)
1 tsp onion powder ($.05)
1 tsp chili powder ($.05)
Salt and Pepper
1 hot pepper(from the garden)
2 cups uncooked rotini pasta ($.50) Used half the box from last week’s $1/box deal!
1-2 cups shredded cheese ($.75)
4 corn cobs ($.76) On sale this week $.19 each

Directions
1. In large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain and return to skillet.
2. Add tomato paste plus 2 cans worth of water to the ground beef. Stir until paste becomes tomato-y sauce. Add drained and rinsed beans. Add crushed garlic, ground cumin, onion powder, chili powder and salt/pepper. Add finely chopped hot pepper for some extra kick! Stir through and let simmer for 4-5 minutes.
3. Add 2 cups uncooked pasta with 2 cups of water to the meat mixture. Cover and cook over medium high heat for 10-12 minutes, or until pasta has cooked through. Stir a few times while pasta is cooking. (Use rice pasta if gluten free!)
4. Once the pasta has cooked through, top with 1-2 cups shredded cheese and reduce heat to low and cover to let cheese melt. (Omit if dairy free!)
5. Boil corn in large saucepan for 4-5 minutes, or microwave in microwavable dish covered with plastic wrap for 2-2.5 minutes per ear.
6. Serve Taco Pasta with Corn on the Cob!

Cost $4.60

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$5 Dinner Mom

{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }

Jen Guarino August 18, 2009 at 7:23 pm

Thanks for the suggestion. I am new to your site….about 24 hours ago and have found so many great ideas here! I think I will put this into my rotation for next week.

[Reply]

Jennifer August 18, 2009 at 9:03 pm

Thank you so much for this recipe! We don’t want to use the packaged taco seasonings, so I haven’t been making many taco-themed dishes. I appreciate knowing your combination of seasonings. Yum!

[Reply]

Kim August 18, 2009 at 9:24 pm

sounds great! I’m definitely going to try this one!

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Alisa - Go Dairy Free & Frugal Foodie August 18, 2009 at 9:51 pm

I have totally been on a taco-flavored meal kick, but hadn’t tried pasta yet; sounds good!

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joanna August 19, 2009 at 8:08 am

I have all of tis on hand, and it sounds like it’s almost a homemade Hamburger Helper- I’m gonna give it a try tonight. As a bonus, the corn will come from our garden!

[Reply]

Erin Reply:

It did turn out like a homemade hamburger helper…although that wasn’t my original intent! It was yummy!

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The Working Home Keeper August 19, 2009 at 8:08 am

Looks delicious! I can’t wait to try this recipe.

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The Happy Housewife August 19, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Erin-
This looks great! And a great way to sneak in some beans :) . I would probably substitute with turkey which could bring the price down even more.
Yum!
Toni

[Reply]

Erin Reply:

That would be great…but no turkey for us…DS’ allergy! Oh well!

[Reply]

Leslie August 19, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Could you clarify the amount of hamburger you used? Is it one pound? Or 1.5 pounds? Thanks!

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Heather August 19, 2009 at 2:58 pm

Sounds yummy. Here is a recipe I use for taco seasoning instead of the prepackaged stuff, it is sodium free and tastes just as good as the packaged stuff.

Taco Seasoning
4 tsp dried minced/chopped onion
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

[Reply]

Kelly August 20, 2009 at 5:21 pm

Erin-made tonight-big hit-used ground turkey, whole wheat pasta and black beans cuz that’s what I had on hand…we also added a dollop of sour cream on top-yum and lots of leftovers for lunches which is also a bonus! Thanks for your hard work!

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Deb Adams August 28, 2009 at 12:16 pm

FYI I am making this tonight for dinner. I am gluten free so I will use brown rice pasta. (Tinkyada) is the best kind of rice pasta

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