Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta One Pot Recipe Everyone Will Love

Taco pasta blends two beloved comfort foods into a mouthwatering culinary adventure that upgrades ordinary weeknight dinners.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish combines the bold, zesty flavors of tacos with the comforting texture of perfectly cooked pasta.

Spices dance across the plate, creating a symphony of taste that tantalizes your senses and brings excitement to the dinner table.

Minimal cleanup and maximum flavor make this recipe a game-changer for busy home cooks seeking delicious, stress-free meals.

The magic happens in a single pot, allowing you to streamline your cooking process without sacrificing an ounce of deliciousness.

Creamy, spicy, and utterly irresistible, this one-pot wonder promises to become a family favorite that sparks conversation and brings smiles.

Why Taco Pasta One Pot Is a Busy Weeknight Savior

• Speed Up Dinner: Whip up a deliciously satisfying meal in just one pot, cutting down on cooking time and kitchen cleanup with this genius taco pasta recipe.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with zesty taco seasoning, rich ground beef, and a medley of melted cheeses that create a mouthwatering blend of Mexican and comfort food flavors.
• Creamy Comfort Perfection: Achieve an incredibly smooth, cheesy sauce that coats every pasta shell, delivering a luxurious texture that makes each bite irresistibly creamy and indulgent.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: A guaranteed hit for families, combining the beloved elements of tacos and pasta that will have both kids and adults asking for seconds.

Everything You Need for One-Pot Taco Pasta

• Ground Beef: Lean protein that forms the hearty foundation of the dish with robust flavor.

• Butter: Smooth fat that helps sauté and adds rich undertone.
• Whole Milk: Creamy liquid that creates silky texture.
• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Sharp and mild cheeses that melt into delicious gooeyness.
• Velveeta Cheese: Processed cheese that guarantees ultra-smooth, luxurious sauce.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, pungent taste.
• Taco Seasoning: Spice blend that delivers authentic Mexican-inspired zest.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Tangy condiment that adds complex umami depth.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato product that intensifies overall flavor profile.

• Beef Broth, Chicken Broth: Savory liquids that cook pasta and blend ingredients seamlessly.
• Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Spicy canned tomatoes that introduce bright, zesty notes.

• Medium Pasta Shells: Curved pasta shape perfect for trapping and holding sauce.

How to Simmer Up Taco Pasta in One Pan

Step 1: Brown Beef Brilliantly

Heat large pot over medium-high flame. Crumble ground beef into pan, cooking until completely browned. Break meat into small pieces while cooking. Drain excess fat carefully.

Step 2: Awaken Flavor Foundations

Add butter to same pot. Toss minced garlic into melted butter, stirring quickly. Let garlic dance and release its aromatic essence for about 60 seconds.

Step 3: Create Flavor Symphony

• Taco seasoning
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato paste
• Chicken broth
• Beef broth
• Milk
• Entire Rotel tomato can

Stir ingredients until thoroughly combined.

Step 4: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Add pasta shells directly into liquid mixture. Bring contents to gentle boil. Cover pot, reduce heat. Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring midway to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Melt Cheese Magic

• Shredded cheddar
• Monterey Jack cheese
• Velveeta cubes

Stir continuously until cheese melts completely, creating creamy sauce.

Step 6: Serve With Excitement

Scoop taco pasta into bowls. Enjoy immediately while hot and gloriously cheesy!

• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Sour cream dollop
• Crushed tortilla chips

Tips for Creamy, Cheesy Taco Pasta Dinners

• Prevent Sticky Pasta: Stir the pasta intermittently during cooking and ensure enough liquid covers the shells to avoid clumping or uneven cooking.
• Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack or smoked cheddar to elevate the flavor profile and add personal flair.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust the heat by selecting mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning based on your family's taste preferences and tolerance.
• Enhance Protein Options: Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives for a versatile and nutritious meal.
• Perfect Texture Trick: Allow the pasta to rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to help the sauce thicken and develop a more cohesive, creamy consistency.

Storing and Reheating Taco Pasta Without Clumps

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheating on Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to restore creamy texture and prevent dryness.
• Microwave Method: Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and maintain the pasta's delicious consistency.

What to Serve with Taco Pasta

• Craft Complementary Wine Pairing: Reach for a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or a medium-bodied Malbec that cuts through the rich, cheesy pasta while complementing the bold taco seasoning's spiciness.
• Select Perfect Beer Match: Grab a crisp Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or a hoppy amber ale that balances the dish's robust beef and cheese flavors, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy texture.
• Design Ideal Side Salad: Prepare a bright cilantro-lime salad with mixed greens, diced tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette to add freshness and cut through the pasta's richness, creating a balanced meal experience.
• Create Garnish Enhancement: Top the taco pasta with fresh chopped cilantro, diced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream to elevate the dish's flavor profile and add a cool, tangy dimension that brightens every bite.

Variations for a Taco Pasta Makeover

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Replace ground beef with spicy chorizo sausage and add diced jalapeños for an extra kick. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top for fresh, zesty flavor.
• Chicken Taco Transformation: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken or diced chicken breast. Mix in some green chiles and use pepper jack cheese to boost the protein and heat.
• Vegetarian Mexican Medley: Substitute beef with black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth and add a packet of vegetarian taco seasoning for robust flavor.
• Tex-Mex Seafood Version: Trade ground beef for succulent shrimp or lump crab meat. Incorporate Old Bay seasoning and a splash of lime juice to enhance the seafood's natural taste. Garnish with fresh green onions for brightness.

Taco Pasta One Pot Recipe

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4.8 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savory taco pasta combines Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting pasta in one quick skillet meal. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty seasonings create a crowd-pleasing dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (453 grams) ground beef (85% lean)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) velveeta cheese, cut into cubes

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 cup (100 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup (100 grams) monterey jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter

Pasta and Seasoning:

• 0.5 pound (227 grams) medium pasta shells
• 1 ounce (28 grams) taco seasoning packet
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) worcestershire sauce

Liquid Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 (10 ounces/283 grams) can rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cheese components by grating cheddar and Monterey Jack at room temperature to facilitate smooth melting during sauce preparation.
2. Heat a large pot and thoroughly brown ground beef over medium-high temperature, consistently breaking meat into small crumbles for uniform cooking. Eliminate excess fat after meat is completely cooked.
3. In the same pot, melt butter and quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic, developing initial flavor layers for the dish.
4. Incorporate taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, chicken and beef broths, milk, and Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, creating a robust and zesty liquid base for the pasta.
5. Introduce medium pasta shells into the seasoned liquid mixture, bringing contents to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook, stirring midway to prevent pasta from adhering to pot bottom, until shells reach perfect tenderness.
6. Reduce heat to low and gradually fold in shredded cheeses and Velveeta cubes, stirring continuously until a smooth, velvety cheese sauce forms, completely coating the pasta.
7. Allow the mixture to rest briefly, enabling flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken. Plate the taco pasta, garnishing with optional fresh herbs or additional cheese if desired.

Notes

• Cheese preparation sets the stage for a melt-in-your-mouth experience, ensuring smooth incorporation into the final dish.
• Draining excess beef grease prevents a greasy texture, keeping the pasta light and flavorful.
• Sautéing garlic creates a foundational aroma that elevates the entire one-pot meal, transforming simple ingredients into a remarkable dinner.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg