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Ultimate Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe - Your New Favorite Weeknight Dinner

This cheesy taco pasta combines the flavors of taco night with the convenience of a one-pot pasta dish, delivering maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy weeknights and can be easily customized with different proteins, spice levels, and cheese combinations.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 12 ounces pasta (rotini, penne, or shells work best)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 4 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced avocado

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Add the uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and broth to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in both shredded cheeses until melted and creamy. If you prefer an extra cheesy texture, you can reserve some cheese for topping.
  7. Garnish with your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro, or diced avocado.

Notes

For extra creaminess, stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese along with the shredded cheeses. Adjust spice level by choosing mild, medium, or hot taco seasoning. Vegetarian version can be made with plant-based crumbles or black beans.