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One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: Quick Weeknight Dinner Hero

A skillet filled with steaming hot cheesy taco pasta featuring elbow macaroni, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheddar cheese.
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Make this easy, one-pot cheesy taco pasta for a fast family dinner. It combines ground beef, taco seasoning, and creamy cheese for a comforting meal with minimal cleanup, similar to homemade Hamburger Helper.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for extra creaminess)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Stir in the taco seasoning, mixing it well with the beef and onion. Cook for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the water, diced tomatoes and green chilies, and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Add the dry pasta to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the milk and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. If using, stir in the sour cream now.
  6. Taste the pasta and add salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Serve immediately, topping each portion with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

Notes

  • For a less spicy version, use mild taco seasoning or reduce the amount slightly.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or a plant-based ground meat substitute for the ground beef.
  • For a richer sauce, use half-and-half instead of milk.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, or crushed tortilla chips when serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/cheesy-taco-pasta-recipe-easy-dinner/