Description
A comforting and flavorful Cheesy Taco Pasta recipe that combines the bold spices of taco seasoning with creamy cheeses and tender pasta shells. This easy one-pot dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, featuring ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and a cheesy sour cream finish, garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions for a vibrant touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
Pasta and Dairy
- 2 cups uncooked pasta shells
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Garnish
- Chopped cilantro or green onions
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Add the diced onion to the beef and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Seasonings: Mix in the taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly into the beef mixture.
- Combine Liquids and Pasta: Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the pot. Stir in the uncooked pasta shells to combine all ingredients.
- Cook Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Finish with Cheese and Cream: Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and sour cream until everything is melted, creamy, and well combined.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions over the top and serve the Cheesy Taco Pasta hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to increase the spice level.
- This dish reheats well, making it convenient for leftovers.
- The recipe is freezer-friendly; store in airtight containers and thaw before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
