Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want a quick and tasty cheesy taco pasta? All the best parts of a taco come together with pasta, making this dish suitable for the entire family. When you’re short on time, this recipe is easy, needs just one pot and will save you on cleanups.
If you want something extra filling, give this cheesy beef taco pasta recipe a try; it’s bursting with tasty flavors and is the perfect choice for dinner or lunch. You can also mix in cream cheese for an even more creamy and rich meal that will make this taco cream cheese pasta your favorite comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Taco Pasta
Here are some of the main reasons why this cheesy taco pasta is a must for anyone to enjoy:
- Quick & Easy: You can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes with this easy recipe.
- One-Pot Wonder: You can cook everything in one pot, so there is no extra cleanup.
- Creamy & Cheesy: The dish is well known for being cheesy and very creamy, so every bite is delicious.
- Customizable: You can make this recipe with ground beef, chicken or a vegetarian substitute all the same.
- Kid-Friendly: A great dinner option for the family, it provides familiar, appealing flavors that are enjoyed by kids.
Ingredients For Cheesy Taco Pasta
You probably already have all the ingredients for this recipe in your kitchen. Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll want for the cheesy taco pasta:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade)
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)
- 2 cups dry pasta (elbow macaroni, shells, or penne)
- ½ cup cream cheese (for extra creaminess)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
- Optional add-ins: black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, green chiles
How to Make Cheesy Taco Pasta (Step-by-Step)
You won’t need a lot of effort and the process is very easy to follow. Now, we will look at this topic in sections:
1. Brown the Beef
Heat a skillet or deep pan over medium heat first. Put your ground beef in the pan and break it up with a spatula until it is browned and pink is gone. Leave out the extra grease when you drain the meat to avoid making your meal greasy.
2. Add Onion and Garlic
Brown the beef and after that, add diced onion and minced garlic to the same pan. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until the onions become soft and seasoned with garlic. It lends tastiness that will work well with the spices in your mix.
3. Season It Up
Now, add the taco seasoning over the beef, onion and garlic. Mix every ingredient and leave it to cook for around a minute. This lets the spices come out and spread evenly across the beef.
4. Mix in Sauce and Broth
Pour your tomato sauce and beef broth (or water if that’s what you have) into the pan. Blend the ingredients well by stirring so everything is evenly distributed. Let the mixture come to its boiling point.
5. Add Pasta
Stir in the uncooked pasta after you see the mixture come to a boil. Stir in the ingredients and lower the temperature to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 12–15 minutes under a lid, until the pasta is done and almost all the water has been absorbed.
6. Add Cream Cheese
When the pasta is done, place the cream cheese in the skillet with it. Stir the butter into your pasta until it melts and drizzles a rich sauce over the noodles.
7. Add Cheese and Melt
Once the pan is off the heat, add the cheddar cheese on top of your tortillas. Keep stirring it until the pasta is fully covered in melted, fondue-like cheese.
8. Serve & Enjoy
As soon as the cheese melts and the pasta gets creamy, take your cheesy taco pasta off the heat and it’s ready to enjoy. If you like, add sour cream, green onions, jalapeños or crushed tortilla chips for some extra crunch.
Optional Add-Ins & Variations
With this recipe, you can make many delicious and unique variations!
- Swap the Protein: Use ground chicken or turkey in your recipe if you would like a lighter meal than beef. If you like, replace the turkey with some ground pork or meatless crumbles.
- Add More Veggies: Mix in corn, bell peppers or spinach to make your meal healthier. Black beans make a good addition to meals looking for higher protein levels.
- Spice It Up: Adding jalapeños or hot sauce is an easy way to spice up your meal.
Storage & Reheating Tips
If you have leftovers though, you’ll be super happy that this cheesy taco pasta stores really well.
- Refrigerate: Allow the pasta to cool completely, then put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can store it in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Freeze: It tastes great after being frozen! Allow it to chill and then store it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. When you wish to eat it, simply defrost and reheat it.
- Reheat: Place it in the microwave with some water or broth or in a frying pan on a low temperature, stir it now and then.
What to Serve with Cheesy Taco Pasta
Although the pasta tastes great by itself, you could also serve it with a few yummy side dishes.
- You could easily pair your meal with either garlic bread or cheese quesadillas.
- A healthy green salad and a light vinaigrette will give you a break from the fatty foods.
- Guacamole, salsa or sour cream on the side will give you something refreshing to eat with your cheesy pasta.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Watch the pasta as it boils and don’t let it overcook. If you overcook your pasta, it becomes soft and loses its crispness.
- Stir frequently: Constantly stir the pasta during the last few minutes so it doesn’t burn and so the sauce stays well-mixed.
- Adjust the seasoning: Taste the food just before serving and season with salt, pepper and taco seasoning as needed.
Conclusion
You’ll love that this cheesy taco pasta is a delicious dish that requires just one pan. This dish blends taco flavors, tender pasta and cheese, so you have the best of taco night—made simpler. If you want easy, pleasing food, this simple recipe will soon be one you come back to.
We’d love to hear how your cheesy taco cream cheese pasta came out.