One-Pot Taco Pasta (Print Version)

Savory ground beef and taco-spiced pasta melted with sharp cheddar in a one-pot dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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, adjust to taste
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 - Cook ground beef in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef and sauté for approximately 3 minutes until softened.
03 - Sprinkle taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the mixture and stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Pour in the broth and undrained diced tomatoes, then stir in the dry pasta evenly.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy throughout.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with green onions, sour cream, and cilantro if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, meaning you spend more time eating and less time cleaning.
  • The cheese melts directly into the pasta, creating a creamy sauce without any cream.
  • It's flexible enough to feed a crowd or scale down for leftovers.
02 -
  • Stir occasionally during the simmering step—neglect this and you'll scrape blackened pasta from the bottom of your pot.
  • The pasta will absorb more liquid as it sits, so serve it immediately while it's still saucey rather than stodgy.
03 -
  • If your mixture seems too dry as the pasta cooks, add a splash of water—pasta always needs more liquid than you think it will.
  • Taste the pasta a minute or two before you think it's ready, because it continues absorbing liquid even after you've killed the heat.
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