Mexican Pasta Skillet

Discover the bold flavors of tex-mex cuisine in this easy and delicious Mexican Pasta Skillet. A flavorful and savory combination of ground beef, salsa, cilantro, corn, black beans, and queso fresco. It’s a healthier Mexican-inspired dinner recipe that is easily customizable.

Top off this Mexican pasta with some sour cream, shredded cheese, Homemade Pico de Gallo, or try this Salsa Verde Guacamole. 

Mexican Pasta Skillet Recipe – Easy Pasta Dinner Idea

I am always wanting more easy skillet recipes to make for dinner. This Mexican Pasta Skillet is just that! Loaded with lots of good stuff like hearty ground beef, corn, beans, tender pasta noodles, and crumbled queso fresco. 

This is a healthier way to enjoy Mexican Food at home. My family loves this served as ‘pasta bowls’ with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, and whatever else you want. 

Ingredients Needed

• Lean Ground Beef – I recommend using 93/7 or 96/4 ground beef. 
• Minced Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves that have been minced or pressed, chopped garlic from a jar, garlic paste, or you can also use 1 teaspoon garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. 
• Cumin
• Garden Rotini Pasta – This is rotini shaped pasta that has 4 different colors. It adds a touch of flavor to this dish and looks so pretty. There is a tri color rotini pasta but that only comes in a smaller 12 ounce box. So look for the one that says ‘garden rotini’ on the outside. 
• Chunky Salsa
• Corn – Make sure it’s drained well before adding it into the skillet pan. 
• Black Beans – Again, make sure it’s drained and rinsed well. 
• Chopped Cilantro – Adds a delicious fresh flavor to this dish. 
• Sliced Avocado & Crumbled Queso Fresco Cheese/Cotija Cheese – Optional garnishes but I highly recommend using them. 

Step-by-Step Instructions For Making This Skillet Recipe

Learn how to make this 30 minute dinner recipe with the simple steps below. Be sure and read to the bottom of the page where there is a detailed recipe card, a printable option, and a pin it button. 

• Step 1 : Cook and crumble the ground beef in a skillet pan along with the garlic and cumin over medium-high heat. Once it’s no longer pink drain the excess grease and fat from the pan. 
• Step 2 : Add the cooked pasta, salsa, corn, and black beans. Stir well. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes until everything is combined and heated through. 
• Step 3 : Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Garnish with sliced avocado and crumbled queso fresco cheese or cotija cheese. 

Mexican Pasta FAQ’s

• How To Eat This Mexican Pasta

  • Mexican Pasta Bowls : My family loves this healthier Mexican dish served bowl-style with lots of toppings. Use shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes (or Pico de Gallo), guacamole or avocado slices, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Everyone can top and customize their bowl to what they like. 
  • As Mexican Pasta : This can also be served as is with a scoop of it on the dinner plate. Add some toppings or eat it as is. 

• How To Store Leftovers

  • Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to 4 days. To reheat, microwave or heat on the stove until warmed through. 
  • Leftovers can also be frozen if wanted for up to 2 months. Place room temperature pasta into a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. 
  • Please note that freezing pasta can change the texture and flavor of pasta. I personally don’t like freezing anything with pasta but you can do it if wanted. 

• What Changes Can I Make To This Recipe?

  • Meat : You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, ground chicken, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. You can even omit the meat completely and sauté the garlic in butter and oil, and adding an additional can of beans to replace the meat. 
  • Pasta : You can use any type of pasta you prefer, making sure it’s a medium-sized pasta, in place of the rotini pasta noodles. Penne, fusilli, bow ties, spirals, medium shell pasta, or elbow macaroni are all great options. 
  • Salsa : Use your favorite salsa, chunky, smooth, restaurant style. Whatever you want. You can also choose to use a hot or spicy version of salsa for some heat. Or use mild salsa for a crowd pleaser spice level. 
  • Beans : Kidney beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, navy beans, cannellini beans, white beans, etc are all great options. 
  • Spice Level : You can adjust the spice level, mild or hot, by using mild, medium, or hot salsa. Additionally, you can add chili powder, red pepper flakes, or hot sauce to taste. 
  • Toppings : Add some extra toppings to this Mexican pasta such as shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, etc. 

Recipe Tips

Here are some of my helpful tips so that you can have success recreating this recipe in your own kitchen ♥

• Drain Cans Well : Make sure the corn and beans are drained well before adding them into the skillet pan. We don’t want the extra liquid in the skillet pan. 
• Garnishes : The sliced avocado and crumbled queso fresco (or cotija cheese) really make this dish 100x better. I highly recommend using the garnishes before serving it. 
• Salsa : Use a really good salsa that you love the flavor of! You can also use any variety of salsa you want like black beans and corn, spicy salsa, salsa verde, etc. 

More Mexican Inspired Recipes You’ll Love

• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas – An easy sheet pan dinner the whole family loves. 
• Easy Chicken Taco Soup – One pot, 30 minutes, convenient canned ingredients, and cooked chicken is all you need. 
• White Queso Dip – A creamy cheesy dip for tortilla chips, taquitos, nachos, or taco topping. 
• Mexican Pasta Salad – Loaded pasta salad smothered in a cilantro avocado dressing. 
• Baked Double Decker Tacos – So yummy and easy to make at home. 
• Ground Beef Sheet Pan Quesadillas – Make many at once with this easy sheet pan method. 
• Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos – Easy to make tender shredded chicken in the slow cooker. Perfect for chicken tacos!
• Ground Turkey Tacos – Yummy healthier taco meat made with ground turkey and black beans.