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One Pot Taco Pasta Recipe

One pot taco pasta in skillet with seasoned beef, shells, and melted cheddar cheese
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Mexican-Italian fusion where seasoned ground beef and pasta shells cook together in zesty tomato-taco sauce before melted cheese creates ultimate family-friendly dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 12 oz medium pasta shells
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded
  • Sour cream for serving
  • Sliced jalapeños (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Diced tomatoes for topping

 

  • Sliced green onions

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add ground beef breaking apart with wooden spoon.
  • Cook beef 6-8 minutes until deeply browned with no pink remaining.
  • Season beef with salt and black pepper.
  • Transfer beef to plate, leaving 2 tablespoons fat in pan.
  • Reduce heat to medium and add diced onion.
  • Sauté onion 3-4 minutes until softened.
  • Add garlic and cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  • Return beef to skillet and stir to combine.
  • Add taco seasoning, cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
  • Stir vigorously 1-2 minutes to toast spices.
  • Add tomato sauce, salsa, beef broth, and diced tomatoes with juice.
  • Bring to full boil, scraping up browned bits.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Add dry pasta shells, pressing into liquid.
  • Stir immediately to prevent sticking.
  • Reduce heat to medium maintaining steady simmer.
  • Cook 10-12 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes.
  • Add broth if sauce becomes too thick.
  • When pasta is tender, remove from heat.
  • Sprinkle cheeses over hot pasta.
  • Cover with lid 2-3 minutes to melt cheese.
  • Remove lid and stir to incorporate cheese.

 

  • Serve with toppings.

Notes

  • Use 80/20 ground beef for best flavor
  • Don’t skip browning beef properly – builds flavor
  • Leave some fat for sautéing aromatics
  • Toast spices to intensify flavors
  • Stir pasta frequently to prevent sticking
  • Sauce thickens from pasta starches naturally
  • Remove from heat before adding cheese to prevent greasiness
  • Customize toppings to family preferences
  • Kids love this fusion of taco and pasta flavors

 

  • Freezes well for meal prep

Nutrition

Find it online: https://fabiloustaste.com/one-pot-taco-pasta-recipe/