Description
Cheesy Taco Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish combining classic taco seasoning with cheesy, creamy pasta. This easy one-pot recipe features ground beef or turkey, tender macaroni, diced tomatoes, and a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it can be customized with optional toppings like sour cream and jalapeños or adapted into a vegetarian version with beans and veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz macaroni (or any pasta of your choice)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Liquids
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
- 14 oz diced tomatoes (canned, undrained)
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Begin by cooking the macaroni according to the package instructions in a large pot. Drain well and set aside to be added later.
- Brown the meat and sauté aromatics: In the same pot, over medium heat, add ground beef or turkey, diced onion, and minced garlic. Cook while stirring frequently until the meat is browned and the onion is translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add seasoning and liquids: Stir in the taco seasoning packet, diced tomatoes with their juice, and beef or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Combine pasta and simmer: Add the cooked macaroni back into the pot. Mix thoroughly to combine with the meat and sauce. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Incorporate cheeses: Remove the pot from heat and stir in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and creamy. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve with toppings: Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
- Vegetarian variation: For a vegetarian option, substitute ground meat with black beans or lentils and add extra vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or zucchini at step 2.
- Adjust seasoning: Modify the spice level by choosing mild or spicy taco seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure taco seasoning is gluten-free.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stove or microwave.
- Adding fresh lime juice or avocado slices as a topping can enhance freshness.
- Cheese quantities can be adjusted based on desired cheesiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop sauté and simmer
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: cheesy taco pasta, taco pasta recipe, easy pasta, ground beef pasta, weeknight dinner, Mexican pasta, creamy taco pasta
