I stumbled upon this recipe during one of those “what’s in the pantry?” moments. As a busy mom with three kids who can never agree on dinner, I needed something that would make everyone happy. This dish combines the cozy comfort of pasta with bold enchilada flavors, and honestly? It’s become our most requested weeknight meal.
What’s Going in the Pot
For the Beef Base:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 for best flavor)
- 1 large onion, diced small
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
- Salt and pepper
The Sauce Magic:
- 2 cans (10 oz each) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes (don’t drain!)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
The Rest:
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 3 cups Mexican cheese blend, freshly grated
- Sour cream for serving
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Crushed tortilla chips
Kitchen Gear You’ll Need
- Large skillet (12-inch is perfect)
- Big pasta pot
- Colander
- Cheese grater (trust me, grate it fresh)
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Let’s Cook!
- Get Everything Ready (15 mins)
- Boil water for pasta
- Chop onions and garlic
- Grate cheese (yes, do it now)
- Measure spices
- The Beef Part (15 mins)
- Brown beef with onions
- Add garlic last 2 minutes
- Season with taco mix
- Drain excess fat
- Build the Sauce (10 mins)
- Add enchilada sauce
- Pour in Rotel
- Add broth and seasonings
- Let it simmer and thicken
- Bringing it Together (10 mins)
- Cook pasta just shy of al dente
- Save 1 cup pasta water!
- Mix pasta into sauce
- Add cheese gradually
- Thin with pasta water if needed
My Best Tips
- Don’t rinse the pasta
- Use room temp cheese
- Season every layer
- Keep some pasta water
- Let it rest 5 minutes
Common Questions
“Too spicy?” Use mild enchilada sauce and skip the Rotel.
“Make ahead?” Stops at step 3, add pasta fresh.
“Leftovers?” Even better next day! Add splash of broth when reheating.
How I Serve It
Perfect Partners:
- Mexican street corn
- Simple green salad
- Warm tortillas
- Extra cheese
- Cold beer for grown-ups
This dish has saved dinner countless times. It’s not authentic Mexican or Italian, but it’s become our family’s favorite comfort food mash-up. The best part? Everyone gets to customize their bowl with different toppings.
Pro tip: Keep extra tortilla chips handy – you’ll want them for scooping up that amazing sauce!