Taco Pasta Shells

Hello and welcome to Tacoville, this is the Mayor! It wouldn't be a week if I didn't post a great taco-ish recipe, now would it? After the huge bomb with the fish tacos tasting like dirt I knew I must redeem myself. These jumbo pasta shells stuffed with taco goodness did the trick. Whoever came up with this clever idea was shear genius. Anything combining family favorites like pasta and tacos is sure to be a hit. I hope everyone gives these little babies a try. Aren't they cute... they make me want to stuff the whole thing in my mouth :)

TACO PASTA SHELLS
1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
18 jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, brown beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add cream cheese, salt and chili powder; mix and simmer for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes; drain. Toss cooked shells in butter. Fill shells with beef mixture and arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish; pour taco sauce over shells. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove dish from oven and top with Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese and tortilla chips; return dish to oven to cook for 15 minutes more. Top with sour cream and onions; serve.

Comments

Anonymous said…
These look delicious! Into my "to try" file they go!
teresa said…
i could go for a big plate of these right now!
Jenn said…
It's funny I had I've been craving tacos all day today. Neat idea with using the pasta shells. Looks really good!!
We make these quite often, but use chicken instead of beef. I bet my husband would really like them with beef. Yummy!
MaRiN said…
I love all your creative taco recipes. It's like taco central!
theUngourmet said…
This recipe is really fun! I may use it tomorrow for my try a bloggy friend's recipe post. :0)
theUngourmet said…
I forgot to ask what kind of taco sauce you used???
Denise said…
Heidi, I have seen these before and I have wanted to try them, but now seeing your picture, they are a must try now. TGhey look really yummy.
Poonam Agrawal said…
Heidi, Wonderful blog n nice recipe.....thanx :)
Donna-FFW said…
Heidi what a wonderful idea and delicious recipe..
Kristen Ballard said…
What a great idea and awesome recipe!
Melody said…
THese are really good. A great twist on a classic. Thanks!
Rachel said…
You certainly are the "Queen of Taco Recipes"! I actually was thinking about you last night, b/c I was out buying ingredients for a taco casserole recipe that I saw in a Taste of Home cookbook. :) I love the idea of using the shells!
Ginger said…
I live in Texas and I've never heard of these "taco shells" (clever name)!

Though a bit skeptical (the fundamental taco rule being that one must be able to eat a crispy, tortilla shell taco without spilling the contents), I think I'd like to try this!

:)
Happy Friday SITSta!
-Ginger
Heidi said…
The ungourmet- I used pace taco sauce, but really you could use whatever you like or probably even salsa.

Hope everyone enjoys these!
Willoughby said…
If you stuck toothpicks in them, I'll bet you could use these for appetizers, too.

Mayor of Tacoville? You crack me up, Heidi!
Looks good! You've become my number 1 source of taco themed recipes!! Love it! :)
Sonya said…
Yum these looks really tastey! Im going to have to hunt around to see if they sell jumbo pasta shells in the netherlands!
Anonymous said…
These look different and delicious!
Katy ~ said…
These are just too clever! Love it!
Ingrid_3Bs said…
Oh, boy that is genius! Thanks for sharing!

Happy Friday!
~ingrid
Disneypal said…
These look good - a nice variation on traditional stuffed shells. I just found your blog - it is great. I normally don't like music on blogs but I like your songs !