Description
This Taco Pasta Recipe is a flavorful one-pot dish combining the zest of taco seasoning with tender pasta shells, ground beef, and a creamy cheese finish. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it brings a Mexican-American twist to a comforting pasta meal, garnished with fresh cilantro for added brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids & Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Pasta & Cheese
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper, cooking for another minute to blend the flavors.
- Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the beef broth. Stir to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Cook Pasta: Stir in the uncooked pasta shells. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Finish with Cream and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy, creating a rich sauce coating the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness and serve the taco pasta warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef to make it leaner.
- Use your favorite pasta shape if you don’t have shells on hand.
- Add black beans or corn to include extra texture and nutrition.
