Description
This One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick and flavorful dinner that combines savory ground beef, zesty taco seasonings, and creamy melted cheese, all mixed together with tender shell pasta. It’s a perfect weeknight meal, packed with comforting flavors and made in just one pot for easy cleanup!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel brand preferred)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 8 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the ground cumin, minced onion, and garlic powder to the cooked beef, stirring to coat. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, milk, and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the shell pasta to the pot, stirring to combine. Cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, and optionally garnish with fresh cilantro or additional shredded cheese.
Notes
- You can add sour cream, avocado, or diced jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
- For a spicier version, use hot diced tomatoes with chilies or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the pasta for a few extra minutes, or reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American