Beef Enchilada Pasta

4.60 from 32 votes
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The whole family will love this easy, cheesy, beef enchilada pasta recipe.

Macaroni, seasoned ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce combine for a quick and easy pasta dinner packed with all the flavors of enchiladas.

Pasta dinners are always a hit in our house. From classic spaghetti and meatballs to mac and cheese, we love it all.

But when I am craving something bold and full of flavor I bust out my taco pasta bake recipe or this cheesy beef enchilada pasta recipe.

Blue plate with cheesy enchilada pasta topped with chopped cilantro. Onion, garlic, spice jars, and skillet full of pasta can be seen in background

Made on the stovetop in a skillet, this beef enchilada pasta recipe is easy to make and can be on the table in under 30 minutes. For another quick and easy skillet dinner try our Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese.

What’s not to love about that?

blue dinner plate with cheesy enchilada pasta topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro

Ingredients

labeled recipe ingredients in glass bowls: macaroni, red enchilada sauce, cumin, chili powder, queso fresco, shredded cheese, crushed tomatoes, and ground beef. Also, a stick of butter, onion, garlic, and bottle of olive oil

You will need…

  • ground beef – one pound lean ground beef
  • onion – one onion diced
  • garlic – 4 cloves, minced
  • pasta – elbow macaroni, cavatappi, rotini, or ziti would all work well for this recipe
  • red enchilada sauce – 28 ounce can
  • crushed tomatoes – one 28 ounce can
  • seasonings – cumin and chili powder
  • queso fresco – a soft and light cheese popular in Mexican cuisine
  • shredded cheese – Monterey jack, cheddar jack, or a Mexican-style cheese blend

Note: We don’t add additional salt and pepper to this recipe as the enchilada sauce and tomatoes add some sodium and the chili powder adds heat.

silver serving spoon lifting large spoonful of cheesy enchilada pasta

Step-by-step instructions


Step one: In a large pot, prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Do not rinse.

Step two: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, stirring constantly (about 3 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

Step three: Add the ground beef, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until the ground beef is browned and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes), crumbling the beef as it cooks.

browned ground beef in large skillet

Step four: Add the crushed tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and queso fresco to the cooked ground beef. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

skillet filled with beefy red sauce

Step five: Add in the pasta, stir to coat with the meat sauce, and top with shredded cheese.

large skillet with pasta in an enchilada and tomato sauce

Step six: Remove from heat and serve with your favorite enchilada-inspired toppings.

overhead image of skillet of enchilada pasta

We used cilantro, but I am sharing plenty more topping ideas below.

Topping suggestions

  • cilantro
  • sour cream
  • green onions
  • avocados
  • tomatoes
  • olives
cavatappi pasta with ground beef, red sauce, melted cheese, and fresh cilantro

More Mexican-inspired recipes

Recipe
blue dinner plate with cheesy enchilada pasta topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro
Recipe
4.60 from 32 votes

Beef Enchilada Pasta

Author: Jaclyn
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Macaroni, seasoned ground beef, cheese, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce combine for a quick and easy pasta dinner packed with all the flavors of enchiladas.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon butter
  • 1 onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 28 oz can red enchilada sauce
  • 8 ounces queso fresco
  • 2 cups cheese shredded
  • 1 pound uncooked pasta

Instructions

  • In a large pot, prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. Do not rinse.
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, stirring constantly (about 3 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the ground beef, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until the ground beef is browned and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes), crumbling the beef as it cooks.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, enchilada sauce, and queso fresco to the cooked ground beef. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  • Add in the pasta, stir to coat with the meat sauce, and top with shredded cheese.
  • Remove from heat and serve with your favorite enchilada-inspired toppings such as cilantro, sour cream, black olives, and/or green onions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 610kcal
blue dinner plate with cheesy enchilada pasta topped with melted cheese and fresh cilantro

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Cheesy Beef Enchilada Pasta Recipe

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5 Comments

  1. Hi! Delicious recipe! Just one question tho: Is the queso fresco supposed to melt into this or be chunky? Mine stayed chunky.
    Thanks!

    1. I am glad that you enjoyed the recipe! You are correct that queso fresco doesn’t melt well and remains chunky. If you prefer you can try using mozzarella next time which would melt up better.

  2. 8 cups of pasta seems like a lot. Can I do the whole the same amount of everything else except only 5 cups of noodles? It’s just for my husband, daughter and I.

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