Taco Pasta

With a family of 5, I am always on the look for low cost and filling meals. I am on a budget that I have to stick with. We don't eat out for a couple of reasons, 1-we really can't afford it, and 2-I can recreate the meals that we like from restaurants for a lot cheaper. This Taco Pasta is a low cost meal and it makes alot, enough to feed my family and have plenty left over for lunch or dinner, if we choose to do a "fend for yourself" night. If you are a smaller family, you can cut the recipe in half. Enjoy!

Taco Pasta

1 lb ground beef
16 oz small dry pasta. any shape
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups salsa
2 packets taco seasoning
8 oz block cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
Shredded cheese

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water. Set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the ground meat and onion over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Once the meat is cooked through, drain off the excess fat and mix in the garlic. Cook the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Mix in the salsa and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and pasta water and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. Season with salt and pepper. Top with shredded cheese and cover with lid just until the cheese is melted.

Top with sour cream and more salsa, if desired.