Tacos in Pasta Shells

This is such a yummy recipe...and our first time making it! Yum! We did make one substitution and that was ground turkey for the ground beef. We've been using ground turkey a lot lately in place of beef. Doesn't lower the calories significantly, but it is leaner (plus you don't really notice a taste difference) and it lowers the calories just enough to make it worth it. Every little bit counts! haha

12 oz dried jumbo shell pasta

2 16oz jars salsa

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

6 oz cream cheese, cut up

2 t. chili powder

1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Optional: chopped tomato

Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain. Rinse with cold water, drain again.

Meanwhile, divide about 1 c. of the salsa between two ungreased 2 qt baking dishes, spreading evenly. Set aside. In a extra large skillet, cook ground meat over medium heat until brown. Drain off fat. Stir in cream cheese and chili powder. Cool slightly.

Spoon meat mixture into cooked pasta shells. Arrange filled shells on top of salsa in dishes. Top with remaining salsa.

Bake, covered, for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, about 15 minutes more or until heated through. If desired, sprinkle with tomato. Makes 12 servings. (We only made 1/2 a batch because it's just 2 of us...and we were STUFFED, but it was oh so good!)