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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese components by grating cheddar and Monterey Jack at room temperature to facilitate smooth melting during sauce preparation.
- 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.
- In the same pot, melt butter and quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic, developing initial flavor layers for the dish.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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