Taco Pasta (One Pot!) Recipe

I love how this dish stirs together ground beef, diced onion, and minced garlic with taco seasoning and tomatoes. This one-pot meal is one of my favorite Ground Beef Pasta Recipes, offering a rich medley of flavors that makes every bite feel like a satisfying twist on an everyday dinner.

I recently tried my hand at a recipe that surprised me with its bold flavors and simplicity. Taco Pasta is a dish that really brings together my love for quick meals and tasty ground beef pasta recipes.

I started by browning 1 lb ground beef with a medium diced onion and 2 cloves minced garlic until everything got nice and fragrant. Then, I stirred in a packet of taco seasoning, a can of diced tomatoes along with an 8 oz can of tomato sauce, and added 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese later for that perfect melt factor.

I tossed in 8 oz pasta shells and used 2 cups of water or beef broth as my liquid base, seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. In about 30 minutes, I had a one pot wonder that dabbled in both Resep Pasta flair and goulash vibes.

It’s a fast and fun dinner that I’d recommend trying if you’re craving something unique yet easy.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it’s super quick and easy to make. I mean, it only takes about 30 minutes in one pot and that means less mess and more time to chill. I love how all the flavors come together with the ground beef, onions, garlic, and taco seasoning, it totally reminds me of a home made taco dinner. The melted cheddar cheese makes every bite so creamy and satisfying, and it feels like a treat even when I’m in a rush. Lastly, it brings warmth and comfort on busy days and it always hits the spot when I need a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• Ground beef adds protein and savory flavor, making it a hearty base.
• Onions provide a natural sweetness and crunchy texture when cooked good.
• Garlic brings a punch of aroma and a mild spice for extra kick.
• Taco seasoning infuses traditional Mexican spices, balancing heat and flavor.
• Diced tomatoes contribute juiciness, adding a blend of acidity and sweetness.
• Pasta shells offer carbs that soak up all the tasty taco sauce perfectly.
• Cheddar cheese melts to create a creamy texture with tangy, rich flavor.
• Water or beef broth hydrates pasta and melds all flavors together.
• Salt and pepper season the dish, enhancing each ingredient’s natural taste.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (about 1 oz)
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 8 oz pasta shells
• 2 cups water or beef broth
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make this

1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef until its browned and crumbly, then drain any extra grease.

2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook them until the onion is soft, about 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the taco seasoning, then add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and tomato sauce.

4. Pour in the water or beef broth and stir thoroughly; let it come to a simmer.

5. Mix in the pasta shells, making sure they are evenly coated with the sauce.

6. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes until the pasta is cooked and tender; stir a couple times so it doesn’t stick.

7. Once done, turn off the heat and sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese while stirring so it melts evenly.

8. Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper if needed.

9. Let it sit for a couple minutes to let the flavors blend together.

10. Serve hot and enjoy your one pot taco pasta meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot with lid – needed for browning the beef and simmering the sauce.
2. Stove – for heating and cooking all ingredients.
3. Knife – for dicing the onion and mincing garlic.
4. Cutting board – for safely chopping ingredients.
5. Wooden spoon or spatula – to stir the beef, veggies, and pasta.
6. Colander or strainer – to drain any extra grease.
7. Can opener – to open the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce cans.
8. Measuring cup – to measure the water or beef broth.
9. Measuring spoons – to portion out taco seasoning and salt/pepper.

FAQ

Taco Pasta (One Pot!) Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can swap the ground beef out for ground turkey or even a plant-based meat if you’re looking for a lighter option
• If you dont have taco seasoning, try making your own with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper
• Diced tomatoes can be replaced with fresh tomatoes that you chop up yourself or even crushed tomatoes if that’s what you have
• If you run out of tomato sauce, you can use tomato puree or a thicker crushed tomato version instead
• Instead of water or beef broth, chicken broth or even veggie broth works quite well in the recipe

Pro Tips

1. If you cook the ground beef in small batches so it browns better, it really bringsout the flavor, and make sure you drain out most of the extra grease so your dish doesn’t end up too oily.
2. When you add the garlic and onions, cook ’em long enough till they’re soft and a little golden; this helps build a richer flavor base for the sauce.
3. I like using beef broth over water for the simmer since it adds extra depth, but if you’re short on broth water works fine too.
4. Before you stir in that cheddar cheese, let the dish rest off the heat for a couple minutes so the pasta really soaks up all the yummy sauce and the cheese melts perfectly.