Taco Pasta

  We were going to have Chili tonight, I was so excited because I thought I'd grace you with a really good recipe.  Until I looked in my cupboard and saw that I was missing chili beans.  I called Katy in an attempt to tweak some things around and make it work, but we decided it just wouldn't.  After throwing some ideas around, I settled on Taco Pasta.  This recipe comes from The Girl Who Ate Everything.  I've made this recipe at least a dozen times and it's never failed me.  It only takes about 20 minutes to put together and it's one that Ashton LOVES.  :) I failed at taking step by step pictures so just trust me on this one. :) 

You will need:
  1 lb ground beef or turkey.  We REALLY love ground turkey in this one.
  1 small diced onion
  1 clove of garlic, minced
  8-12 oz of pasta shells
  1 14 oz can of Rotel or diced tomatoes.  If you like the spice, go for Rotel.  But if you're making this for kids, stick with diced tomatoes. 
  1 packet of taco seasoning or 1 1/2 tbs of homemade taco seasoning.  (You can always add more if it isn't hot enough.
  3 oz of cream cheese
  1/2 cup sour cream 
  Salt and pepper to taste

 Start by bringing a pot of water to boil and get your noodles going.  Also, start browning your ground beef/turkey and dice up that onion and garlic.  You can be like me and add your garlic and onion so it gets all nice and translucent or you can wait until your beef/turkey is well on it's way.  Drain your meat and then add it back to the pan.  Add tomatoes and taco seasoning and let it simmer for 3-5 minutes.  Also, keep an eye on who ever is helping you.  

Because this may happen.... Oops... 

Drain your noodles as soon as they're done and reserve 1/4-1/2 cup of the pasta water.  Stir in cream cheese and sour cream and that pasta water... Oh and the noodles ;) 

Andddddd.. here it is.. You can always put some shredded cheese or cilantro on top if you'd like : )