Recently I’ve been experimenting with one pot meals. They’re just so easy! Using only one pot to make something delicious, like this one pot cheesy taco pasta, means less clean-up. It also means it’s quick and easy to prepare the meal. This one pot recipe with ground beef is comfort food at its finest! Your family will love this easy skillet pasta dinner of creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles.
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This easy taco pasta is wonderful for dinner and it’s one of the best skill pasta dinner ideas I’ve found. Beef, onion and garlic are dominating flavours in this creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles.
In addition to those ingredients you’ll need tomatoes, broth, cream, pasta, beans, corn, and cheese. The spices I love to use in this one pot recipe with ground beef are cumin, oregano, paprika, and cayenne. As an alternative you could sub taco seasoning for these listed spices.
How to Make One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
You will be happy to know this one pot recipe with ground beef is super-easy! Cook the beef, garlic and onion and then add the tomato paste and spices. The broth, tomatoes and cream go into the pot next. Now add the pasta and let it cook.
Remember to stir the contents of the pot regularly, at least once every couple of minutes. That is the key to perfect one-pot recipes, including this skillet pasta dinner.
So what’s next? Well, the corn and beans go into the pot and then finally the cheese. Add salt and pepper as needed then serve and enjoy. I promise you this creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles is going to put a big smile on your face!
Bear in mind the pasta will take a couple more minutes to cook than you would expect. This is because it’s in a pan with other ingredients. So if the package says it should take 10 minutes to cook through, consider giving it 12.
You can always taste a piece to gauge if it’s tender enough for you. I like my pasta slightly al dente – neither too firm nor too soft! Everyone has their own preferences though. I know some people like soft pasta, so if that sounds like you, another minute or two will result in perfection.
Easy Taco Pasta Tips
Although preparing this one pot cheesy taco pasta is already easy, it’s always nice to have tips! First of all, bear in mind some pastas require more liquid to cook than others, so add extra liquid if the mixture in the pot is drying out.
You will be able to eyeball this. If you end up with too much liquid you can always leave some behind in the pot when serving this creamy taco pasta with macaroni noodles.
If you want to spice the recipe up a bit, you could add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli powder to the mixture. Red pepper flakes would suit this skillet pasta dinner. Perhaps you prefer a milder result, in which case this easy taco pasta is great just as it is.
One Pot Recipe with Ground Beef Variations
So if you want to make this one pot cheesy taco pasta recipe your own, you might be wondering how to tweak it.
Not only can you tweak the spiciness level but you can do more. Add more cheese if you want. Personally I adore cheese and am always heavy-handed when adding it to my recipes! Use whatever kind you want here. I can’t think of one kind of cheese that wouldn’t work in this skillet pasta dinner.
The taco pasta casserole recipe calls for black beans but honestly that’s just a guideline. If your preference is kidney beans, white beans or another kind, use those instead! You know, any beans would be delicious in this one pot recipe with ground beef.
How to Store One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
This recipe makes 4 servings. Maybe you’re only cooking for 2 but want to enjoy this again in a day or so, in which case no problem! Refrigerate it in a sealed container for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. Now it won’t be exactly the same when you warm it back up, but it won’t be that different.
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 Pounds ground beef
- 1 onion small
- 3 Cloves garlic
- 2 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 Cup beef broth
- 1 Can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounces
- 1/2 Cup heavy cream
- 2 Teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 Teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1.5 Teaspoon paprika
- 16 Ounces pasta of your choice
- 1 Cup black beans
- 3/4 Cup canned corn
- 1 Cup shredded cheddar
- salt and pepper to taste
- cheddar optional garnish
- avocado optional garnish
- tomato optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat up a pot over medium high heat and add the ground beef.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until no longer pink, add the garlic and the onion and cook for another 1to 2 minutes until most of the liquid has dissolved.
- Add spices and tomato paste, stir and cook another minute to cook the bitterness out of the tomato paste.
- Deglaze with 3.5 cups beef broth, diced tomatoes and heavy cream and bring to a boil.
- Pour in the pasta and cook for the time that is written on the package (note 2), stirring every two minutes.
- Pasta should be very al dente now, if there is no visible liquid left add a bit more of the remaining beef broth.
- Add the corn and the beans and cook for another 2 minutes or until pasta is cooked.
- Stir in the cheese, add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately with garnish of your choice.
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
I love Mexican food and I love Italian food. I mean, I am Italian but Mexican food is just so good too! This recipe feels like bringing the two cuisines together, and you know what – it’s harmonious! Pasta is a great base for this south of the border style sauce. It just works so beautifully. I hope you decide to try this easy taco pasta for yourself, and then you will know what I mean.
Let me know if you try this one pot cheesy taco skillet recipe. It is a great one pot taco pasta recipe with ground beef to have on busy nights.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for food, dogs, fitness, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.
This looks so good! I can’t wait to try it