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One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: Quick Family Dinner

A close-up shot of a white bowl filled with creamy, cheesy taco pasta mixed with seasoned ground beef.
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Make this easy, one-pot cheesy taco pasta for a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner that tastes like homemade Hamburger Helper. It uses simple ingredients and minimizes cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni or shells pasta
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the diced tomatoes and green chilies (undrained), tomato sauce, and taco seasoning mix. Cook for 1 minute, stirring to combine the spices.
  4. Pour in the beef broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
  5. Add the dry pasta to the boiling liquid. 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. The pasta should be tender.
  6. Stir in the milk and the cubed cream cheese until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until it is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and cheesy.
  8. Serve immediately with your choice of optional toppings.

Notes

  • For a less spicy version, use plain diced tomatoes instead of the diced tomatoes and green chilies.
  • If you want a richer, creamier sauce, substitute 1 cup of the beef broth with 1 cup of heavy cream when adding the liquid.
  • This recipe works well as a quick 30 minute meal, perfect for busy weeknights.

Nutrition

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