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cheesy beef taco pasta Recipe

Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta

Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta is a comforting one-pan dish that combines the bold flavors of taco-seasoned ground beef and creamy, cheesy pasta. It’s a family-friendly meal that comes together quickly, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 persons
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 560
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 450 grams ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
  • 1 small onion, diced About 100 grams
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 225 grams elbow macaroni (uncooked) About 2 cups
  • 1 can canned diced tomatoes (with juice) 400 grams / 14 ounces
  • 480 milliliters beef broth or water About 2 cups
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning Store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 150 grams shredded cheddar cheese About 1.5 cups
  • 100 grams shredded mozzarella cheese About 1 cup
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Equipment

  • 1 large nonstick skillet or sauté pan (with lid)
  • 1 wooden spoon or spatula
  • 1 measuring cups and spoons
  • 1 colander
  • 1 box grater (if using block cheese)

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
  2. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, for 4–5 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add macaroni, diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
  5. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12 minutes. Stir midway through to prevent sticking, and check if the pasta is cooked al dente.
  6. Remove from heat. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the pasta. Cover and let sit for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted.
  7. Stir gently to mix everything together.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, jalapeño, sour cream, or diced avocado if desired.

Notes

You can substitute ground chicken or turkey for beef to lighten the meal.
For an extra kick, add ½ teaspoon chili powder with the taco seasoning.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
Use gluten-free pasta if you need a wheat-free option.