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This creamy taco pasta contains lots of flavor, cheese, and ground beef. It requires simple ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes! I love serving it with cheesy garlic bread and a simple side salad.
If you love creamy pasta, then this is the recipe for you! It’s a one-pot meal, super easy to make, and leftovers are great the next day. You just can’t beat it! For more of my favorite ground beef pasta recipes, check out this taco style spaghetti, beef and shells, and crockpot cheesy beef goulash.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- It’s extremely versatile! You can easily substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter alternative, or omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian option.
- No fancy ingredients are required!
- It’s super saucy, cheesy, and incredibly delicious.
- Inexpensive.
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Pasta – Although I used medium pasta shells, feel free to use any short shaped pasta such as macaroni, cavatappi, or rigatoni.
- Taco Seasoning – I used store-bought taco seasoning but feel free to make your own or just add the spices of your choice.
- Ground Beef – 93% lean ground beef is what I used but feel free to use 80/20 for extra flavor!
- Chicken Broth – Feel free to use beef broth instead.
- Cheese – I used a combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese but feel free to only use cheddar cheese.
- Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies – If you can’t find rotel tomatoes with green chilies, use regular canned tomatoes and add a pinch of red crushed pepper.
TOP TIPS FOR THE ULTIMATE TACO PASTA
- Only use 3 cups of pasta shells. If you use the entire box, you’ll need to add more ground beef and liquid. Otherwise, the pasta may turn out dry.
- This is a mild dish but feel free to add a generous amount of red crushed pepper flakes or green chilies to make it spicy!
- Serve with hot sauce, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, if desired.
- Try the pasta and make sure it’s cooked to your liking before adding the heavy cream and cheese.
- Don’t be alarmed if the pasta is too liquidy once it’s done cooking. After you incorporate the cheese and cream and let it sit for a few minutes, it will thicken!
HOW LONG DO I COOK THE PASTA FOR?
Once you add the pasta to the skillet along with the rest of the ingredients, reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 9 minutes or until al dente. I like to submerge the pasta in the liquid so it cooks evenly.
STORAGE & REHEATING
If you have any leftovers, allow them to cool completely and then transfer them to an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until heated through.
Tried this creamy taco pasta recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. And consider following me on Facebook or Pinterest!
Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups pasta shells , medium shells
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 ounce packet taco seasoning , about 3 tablespoons
- ½ onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 10 oz can rotel tomatoes with green chilies, don't drain
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh cilantro, optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet with high sides, break it up, and brown completely. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Add the onions and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the onions become translucent.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 20 seconds then add the taco seasoning, tomato paste, rotel tomatoes with green chilies, water, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Once it comes up to a boil, add the pasta and submerge it in the liquid so it cooks evenly. Cover, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 9 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
- Once the pasta is fully cooked, don't be alarmed if it's too soupy. It will thicken.
- Stir in the heavy cream and mix until well combined, then add the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
Notes
- Only use 3 cups of pasta shells. If you use the entire box, you’ll need to add more ground beef and liquid. Otherwise, the pasta may turn out dry.
- This is a mild dish but feel free to add a generous amount of red crushed pepper flakes or green chilies to make it spicy!
- Serve with hot sauce, sour cream, and fresh cilantro, if desired.
- Try the pasta and make sure it’s cooked to your liking before adding the heavy cream and cheese.
- Don’t be alarmed if the pasta is too liquidy once it’s done cooking. After you incorporate the cheese and cream and let it sit for a few minutes, it will thicken!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
