The Best Creamy Taco Alfredo Pasta
Alfredo is a popular dish in American cuisine. Originally Italian, Americans quickly adapted this recipe to fit into their meal repertoire. While fettuccine alfredo is a delicious meal, I wanted a bit of a change from the usual. I remembered trying a taco alfredo variation years ago and had to recreate it!
In this recipe, we swap a Mexican blend of cheese for the parmesan cheese and add taco seasoning. This creates a wonderfully cheesy cream sauce with a bit of heat. It is a delicious dish and I cannot believe it took me so long to recreate!
This meal is quick and easy, perfect for week night meals. This is a no fuss recipe with simple ingredients that anyone can make!
Ingredients
Chicken
Chicken is the meat of choice in this recipe. The mild flavor of the chicken really holds onto the flavors of the taco seasoning and spice of the Rotel well.
Noodles
Noodles are a delicious medium to hold that wonderful sauce! The pasta provides texture, absorbs the sauce, and balances its richness.
Taco Seasoning
Taco seasoning is the best method to get all the Mexican flavors in one easy mix. The warm and earthy spices really warm up the dish and make it delectable.
Heavy Cream
This is the base of the creamy alfredo sauce. It brings richness to the sauce and also holds the cheese well. It also thickens the sauce without adding any thickeners like cornstarch or flour. If you would like to cut down on the heavy cream, you can add a little bit of milk in place of the cream.
Mexican Blend Cheese
This blend of cheese helps introduce the Mexican flavors to the dish while maintaining a creamy alfredo sauce.
Rotel
This spicy blend of tomatoes adds brightness to the cheesy alfredo sauce. It is a great way to balance out the creamy sauce.
Onion
Though not traditional, onion adds a lot of flavor to the delicious pasta dish. Its a good option to add flavor while maintaining the integrity of the sauce.
Garlic
Fresh Garlic is a shining flavor in the American version of the traditional fettucine alfredo sauce, so it needed a spot light here as well. The addition of garlic makes the dish more flavorful and aromatic.
Fresh Herbs
Cilantro is a perfect addition to this cream sauce because of its citrusy flavor and brightness. It cuts the richness of the sauce and spices the food!
Follow these simple steps to make your delicious and creamy taco alfredo.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Taco Alfredo
Step 1
Boil pasta according to package instructions.
Step 2
Mix the chicken and Taco seasoning together.
Step 3
In a large non-stick pan, cook the chicken over medium heat on the stove top. Once fully cooked and temps at 165, put into separate bowl. About 10 minutes.
Step 4
Using a wooden spoon, melt the butter and scrape up the fond at the bottom of the pan. Sauté onion and garlic for 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
Step 5
Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Once at a simmer, add Mexican cheese blend and Rotel. Stir until combined and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Step 6
Mix Pasta and taco alfredo sauce in the large frying pan.
Step 7
Serve with chicken over the pasta and a cilantro garnish.
How to reheat taco alfredo sauce
Reheating taco alfredo is a tricky thing to do without causing the fat and oils to separate from the rest of the sauce. For next day warming of the creamy sauce follow this slow heating method.
The best way To reheat taco alfredo, place it in a roomy, microwave-safe bowl with a lid. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk or half-and-half, cover, and microwave on defrost for 2–3 minutes. This works better than reheating the pasta at full power at 30-second intervals.
Stir gently with a fork or chopsticks to loosen the pasta. If it’s still clumped, microwave on defrost for another minute or two and stir again.
Once loosened, heat on 50% power in one-minute intervals, stirring often, until warmed through. Avoid boiling and high temperatures. Fat separates when you heat the sauce too high. Let it sit covered for a minute to even out the heat and thicken before serving. This will result in a creamy pasta sauce once again.
Taco Alfredo is a fun and flavorful twist on a classic dish, combining creamy, cheesy goodness with a hint of spice. It’s an easy, no-fuss meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights but delicious enough to impress.
The Best Creamy Taco Alfredo Pasta
Creamy Taco Alfredo Pasta is a flavorful twist on a classic! This easy recipe combines tender chicken, a rich, cheesy Alfredo sauce, and a bold taco seasoning for the perfect balance of creaminess and spice. A quick and delicious meal for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Pasta of your choice
- 2 Chicken breasts (sliced thinly)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend
- 1 can mild Rotel
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- Cilantro (Optional garnish)
Instructions
1. Boil pasta according to package instructions.
2. Mix the chicken and Taco seasoning.
3. In a large non-stick pan, cook the chicken over medium heat on the stovetop. Put it into a separate bowl once fully cooked and at 165 degrees. About 10 minutes
4. Using a wooden spoon, melt the butter and scrape up the fond at the bottom of the pan. Sauté onion and garlic for 3-5 minutes or until translucent.
5. Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Once at a simmer, add Mexican cheese blend and Rotel. Stir until combined and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
6. Mix Pasta and taco alfredo sauce in the large frying pan.
7. Serve with chicken over the pasta and a cilantro garnish.
Notes
If your pasta sauce is too thick, use pasta water to thin out the sauce. Be sure to add a little water at time.
