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One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: Your Quick Weeknight Feast

A close-up, appetizing shot of creamy, cheesy taco pasta mixed with ground meat and diced tomatoes served on a white plate.
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Make this creamy, cheesy taco pasta in a single pot for a flavorful, family-friendly dinner with minimal cleanup. It is a quick comfort food win for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning mix
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 10 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni or medium shells
  • 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the ground beef and chopped onion in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the beef is fully browned and the onion is soft, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Stir the taco seasoning into the cooked beef mixture.
  3. Pour in the water or broth, uncooked pasta, condensed soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and milk. Stir everything together well.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom.
  5. Check the pasta; it should be tender and most of the liquid should be absorbed. If it seems too dry, add a splash more water or milk.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until it is completely melted and the pasta is creamy.
  7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro if you wish.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, use a full-fat cream of chicken soup instead of mushroom soup.
  • If you want a spicier dish, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce when you add the taco seasoning.
  • This recipe works well with ground turkey or ground chicken if you prefer a leaner meat option.

Nutrition

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