Description
Cheesy Taco Pasta is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, and melted cheddar cheese with a zesty taco twist. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy skillet meal is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to please the whole family with its rich, hearty taste and customizable toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (undrained, 1 can)
- 4 ounces green chilies (undrained)
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 8 ounces dry pasta (rotini or penne)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sour cream
- Diced fresh tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Vegetables: Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes with their juice, and green chilies. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the mixture.
- Cook Pasta in Broth: Pour in the beef broth and add the uncooked pasta directly to the skillet. Stir to combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
- Season and Add Cheese: Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
- Melt Remaining Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese on top of the pasta. Cover the skillet and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt completely.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the cheesy taco pasta warm, garnished with your choice of chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, diced fresh tomatoes, or sliced black olives for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- This dish is an excellent all-in-one meal combining protein, vegetables, and pasta, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
- You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of taco seasoning and green chilies based on your preference.
- For a creamier texture, mix in a tablespoon of sour cream or cream cheese along with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and re-heated for a convenient next-day meal.
- Try substituting ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
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
