Taco Beef Pasta
Taco-seasoned dehydrated pasta with corn. Boils down to dinner in one pot.
- calories
- 650
- weight
- 5.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 118
- protein
- 28 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 3 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 18 min
- water
- 240 ml boiled
- cost
- $
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- One pot
- Grab and go
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Dehydrated pasta | 1 cup | instant or ramen-style pasta works |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried corn | 1/4 cup | |
| Seasoned beef packet | 1 packet | Taco Style Beef Creations or similar product |
| Hard cheese or freeze-dried cheese | 1-2 oz | hard cheese on cool trips, freeze-dried on warm trips |
Method
- Bring 240 ml of water to a boil. Add the beef packet and stir to combine.
- Add the dehydrated pasta and freeze-dried corn. Stir to separate the pasta.
- Remove from heat and cover. Let sit for 15 minutes to rehydrate.
- Stir, top with cheese, and eat. Residual heat will soften freeze-dried cheese.
Dehydrated pasta is pre-cooked at the factory and rehydrates in just twenty minutes of boiling. The freeze-dried corn adds sweetness and texture without adding weight. The beef packet is already seasoned and partially cooked; you’re just rehydrating the whole assembly in one pot.
Cheese is essential. It’s the main calorie source and what transforms this from grain soup into actual dinner. Hard cheese carries fine on cool trips; freeze-dried cheese works on warm trips and prevents spoilage.
Packing
Combine the pasta and corn in a quart-size freezer bag at home. Keep the beef packet separate so it doesn't absorb moisture. Carry hard cheese wrapped in parchment, or pack freeze-dried cheese with the pasta if traveling in warm weather.
Variations
- Add lime powder or crushed red pepper flakes for brightness.
- Refried bean powder mixed into the dry ingredients adds substance without weight.
https://trailcooking.com/2025/03/21/new-recipe-easy-taco-pasta