Description
Classic One Pot Taco Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, flavor-packed easy dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta shells, tomatoes, taco spices, and melted cheese all cooked in one pot. This quick weeknight meal is perfect for busy family dinners, simple food ideas, cozy dinner ideas, easy recipe planning, and anyone who loves taco night with the comfort of pasta.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles
8 ounces tomato sauce
3 cups beef broth
12 ounces medium pasta shells
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup sour cream, optional for serving
1 avocado, diced, optional for serving
1 jalapeño, sliced, optional for serving
1 lime, cut into wedges, optional for serving
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips, optional for serving
Instructions
1. Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil if needed, then add the ground beef and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking it apart, until browned. Drain excess grease.
2. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, add the tomato paste, and stir for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
4. Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the pot.
5. Add the pasta shells and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until the pasta is tender.
6. Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted and smooth.
7. Add cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese a handful at a time, stirring until creamy.
8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then let the pasta rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
9. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm with sour cream, avocado, jalapeños, lime wedges, or crushed tortilla chips if desired.
Notes
For the creamiest sauce, shred the cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded cheese.
Stir the pasta every few minutes while it simmers so it cooks evenly and does not stick to the bottom of the pot.
If the pasta thickens too much after resting, stir in a splash of beef broth, milk, or water before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One Pot
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 548
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1030 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg
Keywords: Classic One Pot Taco Pasta, taco pasta, one pot pasta, easy dinner, quick weeknight meal, ground beef pasta, cheesy taco pasta, dinner ideas, food ideas