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One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: Weeknight Hero Meal

A spoonful of cheesy taco pasta being lifted from a white bowl, showing long, stretchy cheese pulls.
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This one-pot cheesy taco pasta delivers bold Tex-Mex flavor and creamy comfort, making it the perfect easy weeknight dinner solution. It cooks fast with minimal cleanup, tasting like homemade hamburger helper.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Stir in the taco seasoning mix and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the water, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and the dry pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. Cook until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Stir in the milk and heavy cream. Heat through for about 2 minutes, but do not let it boil rapidly.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until it is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.

Notes

  • For a leaner version, use ground turkey or substitute half the ground beef with black beans.
  • If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cheese, add a splash more milk or water until you reach your preferred creamy taco pasta consistency.
  • This recipe is great for using up leftover taco meat if you have it from another meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/cheesy-taco-pasta-one-pot-easy-recipe/