Description
Hearty and zesty one-pot beef taco pasta blends Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting pasta in a quick, satisfying meal. Savory ground beef, melted cheese, and bold spices create a delicious dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 8 ounces (225g) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1/4 cup jalapenos or diced bell peppers
Instructions
- Initiate the culinary process by preheating a spacious pot or deep skillet to medium temperature. Introduce ground beef into the heated surface, methodically breaking it into delicate fragments while ensuring thorough browning.
- Elevate the meat’s flavor profile by generously coating the browned protein with aromatic taco seasoning, ensuring comprehensive and uniform distribution.
- Create a robust liquid foundation by combining diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth directly into the seasoned meat mixture. Carefully nestle uncooked pasta within the liquid landscape, guaranteeing complete submersion.
- Trigger a controlled cooking transformation by escalating the temperature to achieve a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow the ingredients to harmonize, stirring periodically to prevent pasta adhesion.
- Transition the dish towards creamy decadence by introducing shredded cheese. Gently fold the cheese into the tender pasta, allowing it to melt and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Finalize the culinary composition by removing from heat and adorning with vibrant garnishes like fresh cilantro, crisp green onions, or a dollop of cool sour cream. Serve immediately to capture peak flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Lean Meat Magic: Choose ground beef with lower fat content (90/10 or 93/7) to reduce excess grease and create a healthier one-pot meal.
- Spice Spectrum: Customize taco seasoning intensity by adjusting store-bought mix or creating a homemade blend for personalized flavor profiles.
- Pasta Perfect: Select shorter pasta shapes like rotini or shells that capture sauce and beef crumbles more effectively than long noodles.
- Dietary Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or lentils for vegetarian and lighter protein alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg