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Quick One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta Dinner

Close-up of a white bowl filled with Cheesy Taco Pasta One Pot Dinner Idea, featuring elbow macaroni, seasoned ground meat, and creamy cheese sauce.
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Make this satisfying, cheesy taco pasta entirely in one pot for fast cooking and minimal cleanup. This recipe combines ground beef, pasta, taco seasoning, and cheese for a family-friendly weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni or small pasta shape
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the minced garlic and taco seasoning to the pot. Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the beef broth, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and the dry pasta. Stir well to combine everything.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the milk until combined.
  6. Add the shredded cheddar cheese in handfuls, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Serve immediately, topped with sour cream and fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cheese, add a splash more milk or broth until you reach your preferred consistency.
  • For a spicier dish, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hungryhearld.com/cheesy-taco-pasta-one-pot-dinner-idea/