Description
Hearty one pot beef taco pasta delivers Mexican-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables. Zesty spices and melted cheese combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped cilantro (optional)
- Chopped jalapenos (optional)
Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounces/227 grams) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups (224 grams) uncooked pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a spacious pot over medium heat, thoroughly eliminating excess fat through careful draining.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Generously sprinkle taco seasoning across the meat mixture, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Pour beef broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce into the pot, stirring to ensure comprehensive ingredient integration.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the liquid mixture, ensuring each piece is submerged evenly.
- Elevate heat to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer for 12-15 minutes, allowing pasta to absorb flavors and become perfectly tender.
- Once pasta reaches optimal texture, remove from heat and fold in shredded cheese until completely melted and smoothly distributed.
- Optional: Swirl sour cream throughout the dish for enhanced creaminess and tangy complexity.
- Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeños for vibrant color and zingy finish.
- Serve immediately while hot, presenting a comforting one-pot meal bursting with southwestern-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of taco seasoning or adding extra jalapenos for spice lovers.
- Use lean ground beef or swap with ground turkey for a healthier protein option.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta and checking taco seasoning ingredients.
- Prep ingredients in advance to make this a quick weeknight meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg