This One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta is a weeknight dream! Ground beef, taco seasoning, canned tomatoes, pasta, and cheese unite perfectly in this great dish. It comes together so quickly and easily, but it is absolutely delicious. Watch how fast this gets added to your menu rotation.
Every time I’m able to give you a delicious dinner that is done in one pan and in under 30 minutes, I feel like throwing myself a tiny party. Because if there is one thing every single other parent in my life needs, it is simplicity. This dinner is stupid simple but still so incredibly delicious. Besides chopping up an onion, this is such a dump-and-go dinner that your family will come back to again and again.
How to Make Taco Pasta
Below is a brief overview of how this one-pot taco pasta recipe comes together. For the full recipe, including a full list of ingredients and their measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Cook the Ground Beef
The whole recipe will be made in a large skillet, starting with cooking your hamburger. Break it up as it browns, adding the onion, garlic, and seasonings.
Add the Rest of the Ingredients
Stir in the tomato sauce, Rotel, and chicken broth. Stir in the shells. Cook until the pasta is tender, then stir in the shredded cheese. Garnish with fresh cilantro and diced jalapeños.
Tips and Tricks
- Shredding cheese from a block: Shredded cheese always tastes and melts better when you grate it from a block. Pre-shredded cheese is covered in preservatives that keep it from clumping together in the bag, but also keep it from melting well. It is always worth the few extra minutes to buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. I like to shred my cheese while the dish is simmering.
- What pasta to use: I like to make this recipe with medium shells, but any medium-sized pasta would work. Rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni would all work well, just watch the cooking time and know you may need to add some additional liquid.
- Homemade taco seasoning: I always keep a big batch of my homemade taco seasoning on hand in my pantry. Made with spices I always have, it adds such great flavor to many different recipes, including this one.
- Rotel: Rotel is a popular brand of diced tomatoes with green chiles. Any brand of diced tomatoes with green chiles can be used in this recipe.
- Additions: If you want to add some veggies, black beans, corn, or diced bell peppers would all be delicious. Cook the diced bell peppers with the onion, and add corn or black beans when you add the shredded cheese.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover cheesy taco pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat only the portion you want to eat in a skillet over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of broth to loosen up the pasta if needed.
If you make this easy dinner recipe or any of my other recipes, let me know how you enjoyed it in the comments!
One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
- 15 ounces tomato sauce see note 1
- 10 ounces Rotel undrained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 ounces medium shells uncooked
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese see note 2
Instructions
- In a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up.1 pound ground beef
- Once the meat is broken up and just started to brown, about two minutes, add the onion and garlic. Season with taco seasoning. Cook until the onion is soft, about five to seven minutes.1 medium yellow onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1 ounce taco seasoning
- Stir in the tomato sauce, Rotel, and chicken broth. Stir in the shells. Cover and turn up the heat to medium high. Bring everything to a roaring simmer. Cook covered, without turning down the heat, for 9 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender, stirring often, scraping the bottom of the pan so the noodles don't stick there.15 ounces tomato sauce, 10 ounces Rotel, 2 cups chicken broth, 8 ounces medium shells
- Stir in the cheese and serve immediately.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Notes
- You are looking for canned tomato sauce that is just pureed tomatoes without any seasoning, not a pasta sauce.
- I like to shred my cheese while the dish is simmering in step three.
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