Easy Taco Pasta One Pot Recipe – Dinner Solved Tonight

Creamy, cheesy goodness meets Mexican-inspired flavors in this incredible taco pasta one pot meal that combines the best of two comfort food worlds.

Packed with zesty spices and tender pasta, this recipe delivers a quick and satisfying dinner solution.

Ground beef sizzles with classic taco seasonings, creating a mouthwatering base that coats every single noodle.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet incredibly delicious dish.

The entire meal comes together in a single pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.

You’ll love how effortlessly this recipe transforms basic ingredients into something truly spectacular.

Grab a fork and prepare for a taste adventure that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

What Makes This Taco Pasta One-Pot Wonder Special

• Effortlessly create a delicious, hearty meal in just one pot with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for turkey, adding extra veggies, or adjusting spice levels to suit your family's taste preferences.
• Kids and adults alike will love the cheesy, taco-inspired pasta that combines familiar ingredients in an exciting, crowd-pleasing dish.
• Transform simple, affordable ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that feels luxurious without breaking the bank.

Taco Pasta One-Pot Ingredient Checklist

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides rich protein for the taco pasta dish.

• Pasta: The core carbohydrate that creates the foundation of this one-pot meal.
• Beef Broth, Chicken Broth, Whole Milk: Liquids that help cook the pasta and create a creamy, savory base.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds a zesty tomato flavor with a hint of heat to the dish.

• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Velveeta Cheese: Cheeses that melt smoothly to create a rich, creamy sauce.
• Butter, Minced Garlic: Provides a fragrant and rich base for the dish.
• Taco Seasoning, Worcestershire Sauce, Tomato Paste: Ingredients that add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

How to Cook Taco Pasta in One Pot

Step 1: Brown the Beef

Grab a large pot and heat it up over medium-high flame.

Toss in the ground beef and break it into tiny pieces while cooking.

Once it’s nicely browned, drain away any extra grease.

Step 2: Awaken the Garlic

Melt butter in the same pot and add minced garlic.

Let it sizzle and release its aromatic magic for about a minute.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

• Taco seasoning
• Worcestershire sauce
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth
• Chicken broth
• Whole milk
• Rotel tomatoes with juices

Mix everything until well combined and bring to a gentle bubble.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Carefully add pasta to the pot, ensuring it’s completely covered by the liquid.

Cover and cook according to package directions, giving a quick stir midway to prevent sticking.

Step 5: Test the Pasta

Check if the pasta is perfectly tender by taking a bite.

If it needs more time, cover and cook for an extra minute or two.

Step 6: Create Cheesy Goodness

• Shredded cheddar
• Shredded Monterey Jack
• Cubed Velveeta

Stir until the cheese melts into a luxurious, creamy sauce.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Dish out the taco pasta while it’s hot and creamy.

The sauce will continue to thicken as it sits, so dive in immediately!

Tips for Easy and Flavorful One-Pot Pasta

• Shred cheese from blocks for better melting and let it sit at room temperature before adding to the dish.
• Remove excess grease after cooking ground beef to prevent a greasy final texture and enhance the overall flavor.
• Stir pasta halfway through cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking in the liquid mixture.
• Allow the cheese sauce to rest briefly after cooking, as it will naturally thicken and become creamier within a few minutes.
• Mix beef and chicken broths for a more complex, layered flavor profile that elevates the entire taco pasta experience.

Store and Reheat One-Pot Taco Pasta Easily

• Transfer leftover taco pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
• Seal cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months to enjoy later without quality degradation.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of milk or broth to restore moisture. Cover and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splash of milk or broth to revive creamy texture. Stir gently and consistently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating throughout the dish.

Best Pairings for Taco Pasta Night

• Enhance Flavor Pairing: Pair this hearty taco pasta with a crisp, light Mexican lager like Corona or Modelo to cut through the rich, cheesy sauce and balance the spicy taco seasoning.
• Cool Down Complement: Serve a zesty cucumber-lime salsa on the side to add freshness and provide a cool contrast to the warm, creamy pasta dish.
• Wine Match Magic: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Malbec, which can stand up to the robust beef and cheese flavors while adding a sophisticated touch to the meal.
• Crunch Factor Addition: Top the pasta with crushed tortilla chips or crispy jalapeño rings to introduce a satisfying textural element that enhances the overall eating experience.

Variations for Your One-Pot Taco Pasta

• Veggie Lovers' Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat or diced mushrooms for a vegetarian protein-packed alternative.
• Gluten-Free Fiesta: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or corn to accommodate gluten-sensitive diners.
• Low-Carb Mexican Bowl: Skip pasta entirely and serve the cheesy beef mixture over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate option.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Add diced jalapeños, increase taco seasoning, or incorporate a splash of hot sauce to elevate the heat level for spice enthusiasts.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes! Ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives work perfectly in this recipe. Just ensure you brown the meat thoroughly and drain excess fat.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The heat level depends on your taco seasoning. Choose mild, medium, or hot seasoning based on your preference. Rotel tomatoes also add a slight kick, so pick a variety that matches your spice tolerance.

• Do I need to use three different types of cheese?

No, you can simplify by using just one or two cheeses. Cheddar works well alone, but mixing cheeses creates a more complex, richer flavor profile. The key is using cheeses that melt smoothly.

• What if I don't have both beef and chicken broth?

You can substitute with all beef broth or all chicken broth. The small quantity of mixed broths adds depth, but using just one type won’t significantly impact the overall taste of the dish.

Taco Pasta One Pot! Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican-inspired taco pasta delivers quick comfort with bold southwestern flavors. Creamy cheese and zesty seasonings blend perfectly, making dinner deliciously simple for hungry families craving restaurant-style meals at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
• 4 oz velveeta cheese, cut into cubes

Pasta and Dairy:

• 1/2 lb medium pasta shells
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded

Flavor Enhancers and Liquid:

• 1 oz packet taco seasoning
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 (10 oz) can rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cheese by shredding cheddar and Monterey Jack from blocks, letting them rest at room temperature for optimal melting.
2. Preheat a high-walled pot over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess grease thoroughly.
3. In the same pot, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 60 seconds until aromatic.
4. Pour in taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, beef and chicken broths, whole milk, and Rotel tomatoes with their juices. Whisk ingredients until fully integrated.
5. Bring liquid mixture to a gentle boil, then submerge pasta completely. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes at medium heat, stirring midway to prevent sticking.
6. Test pasta for tenderness by tasting. If needed, continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes with lid on.
7. Reduce heat to low and gradually incorporate shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Velveeta cubes. Stir continuously until cheese melts into a smooth, creamy sauce.
8. Allow sauce to rest for 2-3 minutes, which will naturally thicken the consistency. Serve hot and enjoy the rich, cheesy pasta.

Notes

• Use freshly shredded cheese blocks for superior melting and flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties that contain anti-caking agents.
• Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent an overly greasy final dish and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
• Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning to match personal preference or dietary needs.
• For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular pasta with chickpea, lentil, or gluten-free pasta options without compromising the recipe’s rich, creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg