Quick Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
If you need a fast dinner that tastes like you really tried, this quick tex-mex skillet pasta is it. You get seasoned ground beef, tender bow tie pasta, salsa, beans, and a bubbly layer of melted cheese all in one pan. It's cozy, a little zippy, and totally weeknight-friendly. I love that it's hearty enough to stand alone, but it also plays nicely with a simple salad or warm bread if you want to stretch the meal.
This is the kind of recipe that shows up a lot at my house during busy seasons like back-to-school and soccer-practice evenings, when everyone is hungry and I need something reliable. Basically, if you want "taco night" vibes without assembling a bunch of toppings, this delivers.
Quick Look
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Main ingredients: Ground beef, bow tie pasta, salsa, beans, cheese
- Cooking method: Stovetop 🡢 Oven
- Difficulty: Easy
- Serving ideas: Serve on its own or with a simple salad or warm bread on the side
Jump to:
- Quick Look
- Important Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
- Baking Schedule
- 💭Crucial Success Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- How To Store Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
- Other Delicious Recipes
- Quick Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
- Need Help Tweaking This Recipe?
- Other Dinner Recipes You'll Love
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- Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala
- Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Important Ingredients
- Ground beef adds flavor and makes the dish filling.
- Bow tie pasta holds the sauce well and keeps its shape after baking.
- Salsa brings moisture and Tex-Mex flavor without extra seasoning work.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Protein swap: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef if you prefer something lighter.
- Bean options: Pinto beans or kidney beans work if you don't have black beans.
- Soup substitute: Cream of mushroom can replace cream of chicken for a slightly different flavor.
- Cheese change: Use cheddar or Colby-Jack if you don't have a Mexican blend.
- Mild or spicy: Choose mild salsa for less heat or a spicier salsa if you want more kick.
How to Make Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned (Image 1). Break it apart while cooking and drain any extra grease.
Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bow tie pasta for about 5 minutes until it's slightly softened (Image 2). Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Add the salsa, cream of chicken soup, drained corn, black beans, and half of the shredded cheese to the skillet with the beef (Image 3). Stir to combine.
Step 4: Fold in the cooked pasta gently so everything is evenly coated (Image 4).
Step 5: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top (Image 5) and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
Step 6: Let it sit for a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy the cheesy Tex-Mex goodness (Image 6)!
Remember that image SEO is important: file names should reflect the recipe + step they represent. Only use alt text as a screen reader description. Do not use captions.
Hint: leave a useful hint here, like let the grill run for 4-5 minutes to burn off any remnants, then clean it. I like to use this bristle-free barbecue brush (affiliate link) for cleaning the grill.
Baking Schedule
- Bake at 350°F (175°C)
- 30 minutes uncovered, until the cheese is melted and bubbly
💭Crucial Success Tips
The biggest tip for this recipe is to keep an eye on moisture. Different salsas vary a lot. Some are thick and chunky, and some are more watery. If your salsa is on the thicker side, you may need a small splash of water or broth so the pasta doesn't bake up dry. Also, drain the beef well after browning. That one step keeps the final dish cheesy and creamy instead of greasy.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can assemble it up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you're ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it's going into the oven cold.
Use one you genuinely like the taste of, because it flavors the whole dish. Mild salsa keeps it kid-friendly, while a medium or hot salsa adds more kick. If your salsa is very thick, add a splash of water or broth so the pasta stays saucy.
You can, but the pasta will soften a bit after thawing and reheating. If you know you're freezing it, try cooking the pasta even more "al dente" (slightly underdone) so it holds up better later.
How To Store Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. This dish can be frozen, but the texture of the pasta may soften slightly once reheated.
Other Delicious Recipes
- Fast Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Hybrid Sourdough Bread (With Yeast)
- 3-Step Sourdough in Under 4 Hours
- Dinkelbrötchen (Sourdough Spelt Rolls)
If you tried this quick tex-mex skillet pasta or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below! Happy Baking!
Quick Tex-Mex Skillet Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef ground
- 8 oz pasta bow tie
- 16 oz salsa jar
- 1 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup can
- 1 15 oz corn drained, can
- 1 15 oz black beans drained and rinsed, can
- 8 oz cheese shredded, Mexican blend, divided
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Break it apart while cooking and drain any extra grease.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bow tie pasta for about 5 minutes until it's slightly softened. Drain and set aside.
- Add the salsa, cream of chicken soup, drained corn, black beans, and half of the shredded cheese to the skillet with the beef. Stir to combine.
- Fold in the cooked pasta gently so everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top and bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then serve warm and enjoy the cheesy Tex-Mex goodness!
