Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe | Easy Taco Orzo Bake

This easy Cheesy Taco Pasta recipe is a delicious take on Taco Tuesday that you’ll want to eat every night of the week! Packed with zesty taco flavors, tender orzo pasta, and enough cheese to satisfy even the most enthusiastic cheese lover, Taco Orzo is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Pasta Dish

• Quick weeknight meal. Have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes for the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal.
• Minimal ingredients. No need to run to the grocery store for ingredients you’ll never use for anything else. This recipe uses simple kitchen ingredients to create delicious flavors that taste anything but ordinary.
• Budget-friendly. Make a filling and comforting meal that can be used for meal prep or leftovers to help save a few dollars in your food budget.
• A family favorite. Full of zesty flavors, but not spicy, this cheesy pasta dish is great for hungry bellies from 1-100.

Whether you’re craving something loaded with robust flavors, a comforting meal, or just something that is ready in a hurry, this Cheesy Taco Pasta is sure to fit the bill.

What Is Orzo?

Orzo is just a little pasta shaped like rice. It cooks up tender and soaks in all the good flavors of this tasty pasta dish. It is incredibly versatile and perfect for soups, salads, or a side dish. Think of it as pasta’s way of being a little extra fancy and versatile.

Ingredients To Grab

• Orzo– Serves as the base for the dish, providing a tender, rice-like texture that absorbs the bold taco flavors. Its small, pasta shape ensures a creamy, cohesive dish when combined with the cheesy sauce.
• Ground Beef– Brings savory, hearty flavor to the dish. When browned, it adds depth and richness that balances the creamy and cheesy components.
• Rotel– A combination of diced tomatoes and green chilies, adds a burst of tangy flavor with a slight heat. It infuses the dish with a taco-inspired flavor profile.
• Taco Seasoning– Ties the dish together by adding a bold and aromatic spice blend.
• Milk– Serves as the liquid base for creating the creamy cheese sauce. It helps achieve a smooth consistency.
• Velveeta– Ensures a silky, ultra-creamy cheese sauce that coats the orzo and beef evenly. Its mild, cheesy flavor adds richness and indulgence.
• Monterey Jack Cheese– Adds a melty finish to the dish. Its mild, buttery flavor complements the Velveeta while adding a hint of creaminess and enhancing the cheesy appeal. Sprinkle it on top for a gooey, golden layer when baked, or serve as a garnish for extra decadence.

How To Make Cheesy Taco Pasta

Cook the orzo. Add the uncooked orzo to a pot of boiling water. Cook according to the package instructions. Remove the water from the pot.

Brown the ground beef. While the orzo is cooking, brown the ground beef in a skillet until no pink is remaining. Remove any excess grease from the pan. Add a tablespoon or two of water to the cooked ground beef and pour in the taco seasoning. Stir until the ground beef is well coated.

Create the zesty cheese sauce. Add the Velveeta cheese, milk, and Rotel to the orzo. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring until the Velveeta has melted and created a delicious cheese sauce.

Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked and seasoned ground beef to the orzo in zesty cheese sauce. Stir until well incorporated. Cover with Monterey Jack cheese.

Bake. Bake the assembled Cheesy Taco Pasta for 15 minutes in a 375F oven until the top layer of cheese is melted and bubbly.

Garnish and serve. Remove the taco orzo from the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro (optional), serve and enjoy!

Tips And Tricks

Read over these helpful tips and tricks before you get started for a simple experience in the kitchen. These tricks will ensure you have a delicious family meal that turns out perfect every time:

• Don’t overcook the orzo. Cook the orzo until it reaches al dente. The pasta will continue cooking while the top layer of cheese is melting in the oven. We’re trying to create a casserole here, not a pan of mush.
• Adjust the creaminess. Velveeta can become very thick when melted. Adjust the amount of milk used to make the cheese sauce to fit suit the consistency that your family prefers. Keep it thick like a hearty mac and cheese or try it thinner like a homemade Alfredo sauce.
• Don’t be shy with the seasoning. The cheese and milk used to create the sauce can be overwhelming flavors. Don’t be afraid of adding plenty of taco seasoning to help balance the flavors and prevent a bland bite.

Variations

Check out these tasty ingredient swaps next time you make this dish for a fun twist on an already delicious dish:

• Swap out the protein. If you don’t love or prefer not to eat beef, try using grilled chicken, pulled pork, or cooked ground turkey in place of the ground beef.
• Skip the Velveeta. Not everyone loves Velveeta or processed cheeses. You can skip it and use a variety of shredded cheeses, added a little bit at a time to avoid clumping, to achieve that delicious cheese flavor instead.
• Puree the Rotel. If you have picky eaters at your table, try blending up the rotes in a food processor before adding it to the sauce. It’s a great way to hide the veggies and add flavor.

What To Eat With Cheesy Taco Pasta

This Cheesy Taco Pasta is incredibly filling and can easily be made a meal as a stand alone dish. If you want to serve a side dish to make it feel a little more rounded, try one of these tasty sides alongside it:

• Tortilla Chips– Use tortilla chips to scoop up bites of this creamy pasta instead of using a fork.
• Taco Shells– Scoop a portion of this taco orzo into a soft or crunch taco shell and enjoy it as a hand-held treat for your next Taco Tuesday.
• Salad– Enjoy a fresh bite alongside this rich casserole with a crisp salad.
• Black Beans– Boost the protein content and add an additional layer of texture by adding some seasoned black beans on the side.
• Roasted Corn– Roasted corn adds natural sweetness, color, and a tasty crunch to your crave worthy casserole.

How Long Does It Last?

Taco Orzo Bake typically lasts about 3 to 4 days when stored properly in the refrigerator. To ensure freshness, allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.

To reheat, place the Cheesy Taco Casserole in the microwave with a splash of milk or water for 90 seconds or until warmed through. Stir well and top with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro before digging in.

Can You Freeze It?

If you’d like to extend the shelf life of this creamy taco pasta casserole, you can freeze it for up to two months. Store it in a freezer safe container to prevent freezer burn.

When you’re ready to enjoy it, allow the pasta to defrost overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat according to the instructions listed above until warmed through.

More Comforting Creations

• Cheese Manicotti
• KFC Bowls
• Quesabirria Tacos
• Char Siu Pork
• Copycat Chili’s Mozzarella Sticks

If you love this Cheesy Taco Pasta recipe as much as we do, make sure you share it with your friends on social media so they can try it too! Don’t forget to save it so you can make it again next time you’re craving something deliciously cheesy.