Description
This one-pot Taco Pasta recipe combines savory ground beef with a creamy, cheesy sauce infused with taco seasoning and diced tomatoes with green chilies. It's an easy, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights that delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors in a creamy pasta format.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes (or 3/4 cup shredded cheese)
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb. Ground Beef (85% lean)
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 oz. packet Taco Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 (10 oz.) can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 lb. Medium pasta shells
Instructions
- Shred Cheese: Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and set them aside along with the Velveeta cubes to prepare the cheese mixture for melting later.
- Cook Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, cook and crumble the ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming too oily.
- Prepare Sauce: Melt the butter in the same pot, then add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste, mixing well. Pour in the beef broth, chicken broth, whole milk, and undrained Rotel tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally.
- Add Pasta: Add the medium pasta shells to the boiling sauce. Cover the pot and cook the pasta until done, about 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Velveeta cheeses until completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Serve: Adjust the sauce consistency if needed by adding a splash of broth or milk. Serve the cheesy taco pasta hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- This recipe makes a generous amount of sauce, so feel free to add more pasta if you prefer a less saucy dish.
- You can substitute all chicken broth or all beef broth depending on your flavor preference or dietary needs.
- Shredding cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese helps it melt more smoothly in the sauce.
- Try experimenting with different pasta shapes like penne or rotini to change the texture experience.
- Optional additions like cooked chicken, corn, bell peppers, or black beans can be stirred in for extra protein and vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
