Name: Tex-Mex Pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
Ingredients: 3 cups uncooked spiral pasta; 1 pound ground beef; 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa; 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted; 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

With just five simple ingredients, this cheesy, beefy Tex-Mex pasta is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked spiral pasta

1 pound ground beef

1 jar (16 ounces) salsa

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted

1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided

Instructions

1 Cook the pasta

2 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the pasta according to its package directions. Editor's Tip: Don't forget to season your pasta water. This simple step significantly improves the taste and texture of the cooked pasta.

3 Brown the beef

4 Meanwhile, cook the beef in a Dutch oven over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles. Drain the meat to remove excess fat and moisture, then stir in the salsa, soup and 1/2 cup cheese. Continue to cook until heated through.

5 Combine and bake

6 Drain the pasta and combine it with the meat mixture. Transfer to a greased 11x7-inch baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until the cheese melts, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.