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Quick Cheesy One-Pot Taco Pasta

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A fast, comforting one-pot taco pasta dish combining seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a creamy cheesy sauce, ready in just 25 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 8 ounces (225 g) uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 2 ½ cups (600 ml) beef broth or water
  • 4 ounces (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula and cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, stirring well to coat the beef mixture evenly. Let it cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies and beef broth. Stir in the uncooked pasta and bring everything to a gentle boil.
  5. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender but firm.
  6. Remove the lid and add the softened cream cheese in chunks. Stir until melted and incorporated. Then add the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  7. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately while warm and melty.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of beef broth or water to loosen it. Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking. Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid clumps. Add shredded cheese off-heat or on very low heat to prevent grainy texture. For dairy-free or vegetarian versions, substitute ingredients accordingly. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with added broth to maintain creaminess. Freeze without cheese and add fresh cheese when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta, one-pot meal, quick dinner, cheesy pasta, ground beef recipe, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/quick-cheesy-one-pot-taco-pasta-recipe-easy-dinner-in-25-minutes/