Hearty One-Pot Taco Pasta (Printable Version)

Flavorful ground beef and taco spices combined with pasta and melted cheddar in one pot.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 small onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

04 - 2 tbsp taco seasoning
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Pantry

07 - 2 cups beef or chicken broth
08 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
09 - 2 cups dry pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)

→ Dairy

10 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Optional Toppings

11 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
12 - 1/4 cup sour cream
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

# Directions:

01 - In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef; cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
03 - Sprinkle in taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper; stir thoroughly to coat the beef mixture evenly.
04 - Pour in broth and diced tomatoes with their juices, then stir in dry pasta.
05 - Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed.
06 - Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy.
07 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions, sour cream, and chopped cilantro as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Minimal cleanup means more time with the people you're feeding, not buried in dishes.
  • The flavors deepen as everything cooks together—it's like a flavor shortcut that actually tastes homemade.
  • Budget-friendly enough for a Tuesday but impressive enough to serve without apologies.
02 -
  • Undrained tomatoes matter more than you'd think—those juices are your sauce, so don't pour them away.
  • Stir occasionally during simmering so the bottom doesn't scorch and the pasta cooks evenly; a watched pot doesn't boil, but an unwatched one burns.
03 -
  • If the pot seems dry toward the end of cooking, add a splash more broth—every stove runs differently, and you want the pasta tender, not crunchy.
  • Let it rest for 2 minutes after stirring in the cheese; it'll firm up slightly and be easier to serve without looking like it's falling apart.
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