North of the Border Pasta

Discover bold, Tex-Mex-inspired flavors with this creamy, satisfying North of the Border Pasta recipe! Perfectly cooked penne or rotini is tossed with seasoned ground beef or turkey, colorful bell peppers, black beans, and sweet corn, all simmered in a zesty tomato and green chili base. A rich blend of cream cheese and shredded cheddar creates a velvety sauce that clings to every bite. Finished with fresh cilantro for a hint of brightness, this one-skillet pasta dish combines the comfort of cheesy pasta with the vibrant spices of taco night. Ideal for busy weeknights, it comes together in just 40 minutes and serves up to six hungry friends or family members. Add this crowd-pleaser to your dinner rotation today!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini preferred)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat, if necessary.

Step 3

Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion softens and becomes translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the diced red bell pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Add the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies, black beans, and frozen corn to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the mixture and stir well to evenly coat the ingredients. Cook for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese. Let it melt into the mixture, stirring until smooth and creamy.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir everything together to ensure the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.

Step 9

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt, about 2 minutes.

Step 10

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2315.3 grams (2315.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3371

Total Fat 190.80g	245%
Saturated Fat 85.00g	425%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.30g
Cholesterol 557mg	186%
Sodium 8008mg	348%
Total Carbohydrate 260.30g	95%
Dietary Fiber 48.90g	175%
Total Sugars 32.90g
Protein 158.30g	317%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1283mg	99%
Iron 22mg	122%
Potassium 3741mg	80%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.6%

Protein: 18.7%

Carbs: 30.7%