Taco Pasta Recipe: Experience the perfect fusion of Mexican-inspired flavors and comforting pasta in this incredibly simple, one-pan dish. Featuring savory taco-seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, sweet corn, and a generous layer of melty cheese, this recipe promises a hearty, flavorful meal that comes together in a flash.

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The 25-Minute Taco Pasta That Feeds the Whole Family!

Growing up, few meals brought as much comfort and excitement as Hamburger Helper. It was a staple in my household, a go-to for busy weeknights, and a source of happy childhood memories. However, as an adult, I’ve noticed the taste isn’t quite the same as I remember, and the long list of artificial ingredients is something I now try to avoid.

I yearned to recreate that same comforting, nostalgic flavor for my own children, but with a fresh, elevated twist. I wanted a recipe that felt wholesome, was easy to make, and still delivered on that irresistible cheesy, meaty pasta goodness. After much testing and tweaking, I finally perfected my very own homemade version of Taco Pasta.

This recipe captures everything I adored about the classic: the rich, creamy sauce, the satisfyingly tender pasta, and the abundance of melted cheese. But it elevates it by skipping the processed ingredients, opting instead for fresh, simple components I almost always have on hand. The best part? It all comes together in just one pan, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor. My kids absolutely love it, and I feel fantastic knowing I’m serving them a wholesome, delicious meal.

Why You’ll Adore This Taco Pasta Recipe

This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a culinary hug in a bowl, designed for convenience and flavor. Here’s why this Taco Pasta will quickly become a cherished part of your meal rotation:

• One-Pan Wonder: Say goodbye to multiple pots and pans! Everything, from browning the beef to cooking the pasta, happens in a single skillet. This means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
• Lightning-Fast Dinner: With a total time of just 25 minutes, this recipe is a lifesaver on those hectic weeknights when you need a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in a flash.
• Irresistible Flavors: The harmonious blend of savory taco-seasoned ground beef, sweet corn, zesty salsa, and rich, melty cheese creates a flavor explosion that’s both familiar and exciting.
• Family Favorite: Kids and adults alike will devour this dish. It’s a fantastic way to introduce new flavors in a comforting format, and its customizable nature ensures everyone finds something to love.
• Wholesome & Homemade: Unlike boxed alternatives, this recipe uses fresh, simple ingredients you can feel good about. You control the quality and the spice level, making it perfect for every palate.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with common, affordable ingredients, this taco pasta is a economical meal choice that doesn’t compromise on taste or satisfaction.
• Customizable: Easily adapt this recipe to your family’s preferences. Swap out the meat, add extra veggies, or dial up the heat—the possibilities are endless!

Essential Ingredients for Your Taco Pasta

Crafting the perfect taco pasta starts with quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some clever swaps to make this recipe your own:

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Delicious Taco Pasta

Follow these detailed instructions to create a mouthwatering one-pan taco pasta that will impress your family and friends:

1. Brown the Beef & Sauté Aromatics: Begin by heating your large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s completely browned and no pink remains. This step is crucial for developing deep, savory flavor. Once cooked, transfer the beef to a plate, leaving any rendered fat in the pan. If there’s excessive fat, you may drain a portion, but a little will help flavor the aromatics. Add the finely diced yellow onion and minced garlic to the same pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and slightly softened. This quick sauté enhances their sweet and pungent notes.
2. Infuse with Taco Seasoning: Once the onions and garlic are fragrant, sprinkle in the taco seasoning. Stir continuously for another 30 seconds. Heating the seasoning briefly helps to bloom the spices, releasing their full aromatic potential and deepening the overall taco flavor of the dish.
3. Combine & Simmer Initial Liquid: Now, it’s time to bring everything together. Return the cooked ground beef to the pan. Add 1 cup of water, your favorite mild salsa, the frozen corn, uncooked elbow pasta, and the mild taco sauce. Stir all these ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Ensure the pasta is distributed evenly to promote uniform cooking.
4. Cook the Pasta to Perfection: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pan tightly with a lid, and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes. The pasta will begin to soften and absorb the liquid. After this initial simmer, lift the lid, stir everything together again, and add the last cup of water. Return the lid and continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the pasta is tender to your liking and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a rich, thick sauce. If the pasta is still firm and the liquid has evaporated too much, add a splash more water (up to 1/4 cup) and continue simmering briefly.
5. Melt in the Cheesy Goodness: Once the pasta is perfectly tender, remove the pan from the heat. This is important to prevent the cheese from becoming oily. Sprinkle the shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend or sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Stir gently but thoroughly until the cheese has completely melted, creating a luscious, creamy, and irresistible sauce that coats every piece of pasta and beef.
6. Garnish and Serve Immediately: Your one-pan taco pasta is now ready! Transfer generous portions to bowls. For an added burst of freshness and texture, top with your favorite taco fixings. I highly recommend diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or sliced green onions. Serve immediately and watch it disappear!

Expert Tips for the Best Taco Pasta Every Time

Achieving restaurant-quality taco pasta at home is easy with a few simple tricks:

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Keep a close eye on the pasta during simmering. Overcooked pasta can become mushy. You want it tender but still with a slight bite (al dente). Taste test a piece before adding the cheese.
• Adjust Spice Levels: This recipe calls for mild salsa and taco sauce, making it kid-friendly. If you prefer more heat, opt for medium or hot versions of these ingredients, or add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the taco seasoning.
• Freshly Shredded Cheese is Key: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, it often contains starches that prevent it from melting smoothly. Shredding your own cheese from a block will give you a much creamier, dreamier result.
• Proper Pan Size: As mentioned, a large nonstick skillet is essential. It provides enough surface area for the pasta to cook evenly and prevents ingredients from overcrowding, which can steam rather than simmer.
• Don’t Skip the Drain: If using a fattier ground beef, draining excess grease after browning is important. Too much fat can make the sauce greasy rather than creamy.
• Taste and Adjust: Before serving, always taste your taco pasta and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want a little more salt, pepper, or a dash of hot sauce.

Taco Pasta: Variations and Customizations

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to tailor it to your dietary preferences or what you have on hand:

• Protein Power-Ups: Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey, ground chicken, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute for a vegetarian option. For a smoky flavor, add cooked and crumbled chorizo.
• Veggie Boost: Stir in diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), chopped zucchini, or a can of drained black beans along with the corn for extra nutrients and fiber. Sliced jalapeños can add a fresh spicy kick.
• Cheese Please: Experiment with different cheeses! Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even a sharp white cheddar can be delicious. For a tangier flavor, a small amount of cream cheese stirred in at the end can make the sauce extra creamy.
• Sauce Swaps: If you don’t have mild taco sauce, a bit of tomato sauce with extra taco seasoning can work. For a creamier sauce, a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half can be added with the final cup of water.
• Pasta Perfection: While elbow macaroni is classic, feel free to use rotini, penne, cavatappi, or even small shells. Just ensure the cooking time is similar.

What to Serve with Taco Pasta

While this Taco Pasta is a complete meal on its own, pairing it with a simple side can elevate your dining experience:

• Fresh Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
• Garlic Bread: Because who can resist soaking up that delicious sauce with a piece of warm, buttery garlic bread?
• Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers adds extra nutrients and a different texture.
• Chips and Guacamole: Lean into the taco theme with a side of crunchy tortilla chips and fresh guacamole or salsa.

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4.95 from 36 votes

Taco Pasta Recipe

By
Chelsea Lords

This Taco Pasta Recipe is the ultimate mash-up of tender pasta, taco-seasoned ground beef, crisp corn, and a generous helping of melty cheese. It’s a quick, satisfying dinner that’s bursting with flavor!

Prep Time:
10 minutes minutes

Cook Time:
15 minutes minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes minutes

Servings:
6 servings

Video

Equipment

• Large pan nonstick

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
• 1/2 cup yellow onion finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 packet taco seasoning see note 1
• 2 cups water divided
• 1 cup mild salsa see note 2
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 cups elbow pasta 10 ounces
• 1 cup mild taco sauce
• 1-1/2 to 2 cups shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend or sharp cheddar cheese
• Toppings as desired see note 3

Instructions

• Brown the ground beef in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Transfer the beef to a plate and drain any excess fat from the pan. Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic to the same pan and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices.
• Return the cooked beef to the pan. Add 1 cup of water, salsa, frozen corn, uncooked pasta, and taco sauce. Stir everything well to combine and ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and let it simmer for about 5–7 minutes. After this time, remove the lid, stir the ingredients again, and add the last cup of water. Return the lid and continue to simmer until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, which should take another 5–7 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the pasta and stir until it’s completely melted and creamy. Serve immediately with your preferred toppings, such as avocado, sour cream, cherry tomatoes, fresh cilantro, or green onions.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: If you prefer making your own taco seasoning, combine the following spices and use in place of a store-bought packet:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika and 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano and 1/2 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

Note 2: If you are not using a nonstick pan, remember to stir the pasta every 3–4 minutes during simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom. While simmering, closely monitor the liquid level; if it evaporates before the pasta is tender, add up to 1/4 cup of additional water to ensure the pasta cooks through.

Note 3: Optional toppings to enhance your taco pasta include: green onions or cilantro, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, diced tomatoes, and/or diced avocado.

Storage: Store any leftover Taco Pasta in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. For longer preservation, freeze it in a sealed container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving

|

Calories: 344kcal

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Carbohydrates: 34.3g

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Protein: 27g

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Fat: 10.8g

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Cholesterol: 67mg

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Sodium: 542mg

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Fiber: 2.6g

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Sugar: 3.9g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this Taco Pasta vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply swap the ground beef for a plant-based ground substitute or use canned black beans and corn as your primary protein. You might also want to add some extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for more substance.

What kind of pasta works best?

Elbow macaroni is classic, but small shells, rotini, or even penne are excellent choices as they hold the creamy sauce well. Just ensure the pasta you choose has a similar cooking time to elbow macaroni for optimal results in a one-pan dish.

How can I make this spicier?

To add more heat, use medium or hot salsa and taco sauce. You can also mix in a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños with the taco seasoning.

Can I prepare this in advance?

While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly prepare this dish a day in advance. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. The flavors often deepen overnight.

What if my pasta isn’t cooking through?

If your pasta is still hard and the liquid has evaporated, add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth, cover, and continue to simmer until tender. This can sometimes happen if your pan isn’t tightly covered or if your stove’s heat is higher than anticipated.

Whip Up a Weeknight Favorite!

This One-Pan Taco Pasta is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution for busy weeknights, a comforting embrace, and a guaranteed crowd-plepleaser. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, it delivers a wholesome, cheesy, and utterly satisfying meal that your entire family will request again and again. Ditch the boxed meals and embrace the freshness of homemade comfort food. Gather your ingredients, grab your largest skillet, and get ready to create a new family tradition with this incredible Taco Pasta!