This taco pasta will become one of those go-to meals you whip up when you want to get everyone fed without complaints, guaranteed.
One Pot Taco Pasta
This one-pot taco pasta has everything my family likes about classic ground meat tacos in every bite. And after two years of eating hand-held tacos to create recipes for my best-selling book, The Taco Tuesday Cookbook, this recipe sure hits the spot.
In fact, it’s become one of those recipes that my teens have learned to make when I stay late at the office, and I’ve texted the family chat, “someone please handle dinner.” Easy, quick, and great for any night of the week!
Ingredients
You can make this recipe with any short pasta you have on hand and ground meat (beef or turkey). The taco flavors come from the taco seasoning, salsa, shredded cheddar cheese (or any other cheese you like), and a little sour cream for a smooth sauce.
How to Make Taco Pasta in a Skillet
Cook the pasta in a pot, and while that cooks, cook the ground meat in a skillet with the taco seasoning. Then, after you return the pasta to the pot, add the cooked meat and the other ingredients, stirring to melt the cheese and create a creamy sauce.
Variations
This taco pasta recipe is super easy to customize with staples you have in your pantry and fridge. Here are some tasty ideas:
Swap the meat
You can make this recipe with beef, turkey, or chicken. Any protein you enjoy with pasta goes well.
Swap the pasta
If you don’t have short pasta on hand, try this delicious taco spaghetti.
Repurpose leftovers
If you have cooked meat leftover from taco night, use it for this pasta dinner. You’ll save some time, and the leftovers won’t go to waste!
Swap the cheese
I use cheddar, but you can use other classic taco cheeses, such as Monterey Jack, Mexican blend, Mozzarella, or a mix.
Add more toppings
Kick up flavor and nutrition by topping your taco pasta with corn, bell pepper strips, black olives, beans, diced onion, chopped spinach, or bacon bits. You can even add some jalapeño slices if you crave a little heat!
More Taco-Inspired Recipes
If you’re taco-obsessed like me, I have some delicious recipes you need to try! For cold days, serve this easy taco soup or this slow-cooker chicken taco soup. Super cozy! More kid-favorites? These taco cupcakes and this loaded taco pizza, of course!
Easy Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta, your favorite
- 1 lb gound meat, lean beef, chicken or turkey
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa, or pico de gallo
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream, regular or light
Instructions
Prep:
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the water out and return the pasta to the pot.
Cook:
- Meanwhile, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat in a skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. When it's nearly cooked through, season with the taco seasoning, cook until the meat is no longer pink.
Combine:
- Add the cooked ground meat to the pasta pot, leaving any excess grease behind. Add the salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese. With the heat on the lowest setting (all the way down), stir for a minute or two, just enough to combine the ingredients and create a creamy sauce. When the cheese has melted, turn off the heat.
- Serve this cheesy taco pasta immediately.
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Patty says
I am new to the gluten free world because my granddaughter’s recent celiac diagnosis. Can I sub the regular noodles for gluten free?
Laura says
You sure can! Just be sure to follow the instructions on the bag of gluten free pasta exactly, because it is a little harder to get the texture right than your classic pasta.
Sherry says
Came out great
Thx
Sharon says
Such a simple and tasty recipe! I added more salsa and shredded cheese because I had more than 1lb of ground beef. I am able to make 2 weeks worth of dinner for myself (freeze the 2nd week portion) and it still tastes delicious! I’m going to add spinach the next time I make it so that I can have more veggies in my diet.
Kelly says
this taco pasta recipe is so easy and delicious, a new favorite!!