Mexican Pasta

If you're looking for a quick meal you can have on the table in 30 minutes or less, look no further. This ground beef and pasta dish is simple, hearty and flavorful. Think of it as a healthier alternative to Hamburger Helper.

Even my pickiest eater, the Princess, will gobble this up. Usually she prefers her pasta with no sauce. That's right, no sauce. Nada. Nothing. Except maybe a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, if she's in the mood. But this stuff - she devours it! Try it and you'll see why.

Here's what you need:

2 cups small pasta, uncooked - I use shell pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 cup salsa
2 TBSP taco seasoning
1/2 teas black pepper
shredded cheese, optional

Cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain. While the pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef in a large skillet, then drain.

To the ground beef, add the tomato sauce, salsa, taco seasoning and pepper. The kind of salsa you use allows you to control the heat and spiciness of the dish. I generally use homemade if I have it on hand. Allow this to simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the drained pasta. This is why I like to use the shell pasta. The yummy sauce gets into the shell shape and all that flavor seems to linger there. Silly, I know.

Top individual servings with shredded cheese, if desired.

I'm linking this recipe up to Full Plate Thursday over at Miz Helen's Country Cottage.