Description
Cheesy Taco Pasta is a delicious and easy one-pot meal that combines tender pasta with seasoned ground meat, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and a savory taco-flavored tomato sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be customized with optional toppings like sour cream, cilantro, and jalapeños for added flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz macaroni (or any pasta of your choice)
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Sauce
- 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
- 14 oz diced tomatoes (canned, undrained)
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- to taste salt and pepper
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. Once cooked al dente, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Meat and Cook Aromatics: In the same pot over medium heat, add the ground beef or turkey along with the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is fully browned and the onion becomes translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Seasoning and Sauce: Stir in the taco seasoning, canned diced tomatoes with their juice, and the beef or chicken broth. Bring the entire mixture to a simmer to blend the flavors together.
- Combine Pasta and Simmer: Add the cooked macaroni back into the pot and stir thoroughly to combine. Allow everything to simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to heat through and meld the flavors.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until they melt into a creamy sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve with Optional Toppings: Serve the cheesy taco pasta hot, garnished with optional toppings such as sour cream, chopped cilantro, and sliced jalapeños to add extra flavor and texture.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian alternative, substitute the ground meat with black beans or lentils. You can also add extra vegetables like bell peppers, corn, or zucchini for more nutrition and variety.
- Adjust Seasoning: Customize the heat level by choosing mild or spicy taco seasoning according to your taste preference.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you like; elbow macaroni works well, but shells or penne are great alternatives.
- Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to beef if you prefer a lighter dish.
- For extra creaminess, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of cream cheese when mixing in the shredded cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little broth or water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.
- To make this dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your taco seasoning packet is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop cooking, simmering
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: cheesy taco pasta, taco pasta, ground beef pasta, Tex-Mex pasta, easy weeknight dinner, one-pot pasta, taco seasoning recipe
