Name: Crispy Air Fryer Pasta Shell Tacos
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 8-ounce box manicotti pasta; 1 pound ground beef; 1 packet taco seasoning; 4 ounces diced green chiles; 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 3 large eggs, beaten; 2 tablespoons milk or half-and-half; 3 cups finely crushed tortilla chips; Salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, and/or guacamole for serving

Embark on a culinary adventure with Air Fryer Pasta Tacos, a playful fusion where the comforting familiarity of manicotti meets the vibrant zest of tacos. Al dente pasta shells cradle a savory, taco-spiced beef and cheese filling, all encased in a delightfully crunchy tortilla chip crust. These aren't just tacos; they're a celebration of flavors and textures!

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Pre-cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the manicotti pasta and cook for 6 minutes, achieving a slightly underdone state. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside to cool. (Time: 10 minutes)

02

Step

Prepare the Taco Filling: In a large non-stick skillet, heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until evenly browned and cooked through. (Time: 7 minutes)

03

Step

Season and Combine: Introduce the taco seasoning, diced green chiles, and drained diced tomatoes and green chiles to the cooked beef. Stir well, ensuring the taco seasoning coats the beef evenly, and scrape up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded Cheddar cheese until melted and well combined. (Time: 5 minutes)

04

Step

Stuff the Pasta: Carefully fill each partially cooked manicotti shell with the flavorful beef mixture. Once filled, arrange the pasta shells on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, to firm up. This step ensures the filling stays intact during the air frying process. (Time: 30 minutes - 1 hour freezing)

05

Step

Prepare the Breading Station: In a shallow dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk (or half-and-half) to create an egg wash. In a separate shallow dish, place the finely crushed tortilla chips. (Time: 3 minutes)

06

Step

Bread the Pasta Tacos: Lightly coat each filled pasta shell with the egg wash, ensuring all surfaces are covered. Then, dredge the egg-washed pasta in the crushed tortilla chips, pressing lightly to help the crumbs adhere. (Time: 10 minutes)

07

Step

Air Fry to Perfection: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully place the breaded pasta tacos in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through. (Time: 10-12 minutes per batch)

08

Step

Serve and Enjoy: Remove the air-fried pasta tacos from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite taco toppings, such as salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, and guacamole.