Simple Taco Pasta Bake

Bold taco flavors meet cozy pasta in this easy, crowd-pleasing bake.

Makes about 8 servings

Ingredients:

16 oz penne pasta

1 lb 95% lean ground beef

1 package taco seasoning mix 

3/4 cup water

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese

4 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese

1 jar of salsa

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large pot, boil water and cook pasta according to package directions. 

3. In a large frying pan, on medium-high heat, cook ground beef until brown, and then drain fat from pan.

4. Add taco seasoning, water, and beans to ground beef and mix together. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.

5. Add 1/3 less fat cream cheese to ground beef and stir until melted and combined.  Remove from heat.

6. Put pasta in 9x13 baking dish and mix with 1/2 cup of reduced fat shredded cheese and ground beef mixture.

7. Top with remaining 1/2 cup reduced fat shredded cheese.

8. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes

Nutrition Information (per serving): 469 calories, 12g fat, 58g carb, 31g protein