Description

Cheesy Taco Pasta is a flavorful and hearty one-skillet meal that combines seasoned ground beef, tangy diced tomatoes, green chilies, and pasta, all baked together with melted cheddar cheese. This dish offers a comforting blend of Mexican-inspired flavors with the ease of a simple stovetop method, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Spices and Seasonings

2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids and Canned Goods

14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained (1 can)
4 ounces green chilies, undrained
3 cups beef broth, low sodium

Pasta and Cheese

8 ounces pasta (rotini or penne), dry
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)

Optional Toppings

green onions, chopped
sour cream
tomatoes, diced
black olives, sliced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it up continuously with a spoon to ensure even cooking. Drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness.
Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned beef and cook until the onions soften, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the taco seasoning, followed by the undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors evenly.
Cook Pasta in Broth: Pour the beef broth into the skillet and add the uncooked pasta. Stir well and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking, until the pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Melt Cheese into Pasta: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese until it melts and blends into the pasta mixture.
Top with Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese on top of the pasta and cover the skillet for several minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
Serve with Optional Toppings: Serve the cheesy taco pasta warm, garnished with chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, fresh diced tomatoes, and sliced black olives, according to your preference for added flavor and texture.

Notes

Cheesy Taco Pasta is a comforting and easy-to-make dish perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
The use of taco seasoning provides authentic Mexican-inspired flavors that pair well with beef and cheese.
Simmering the pasta directly in beef broth and tomatoes infuses it with rich flavor and reduces cleanup by cooking everything in one skillet.
Feel free to adjust the amount of taco seasoning and toppings to suit your taste preferences.
This recipe is versatile; you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 462 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 748 mg
Fat: 21 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 87 mg