Easy One Pot Taco Pasta
Taco Pasta is a creamy, cheesy one-pot meal made with seasoned ground beef, tender short pasta, tomatoes, corn, cream cheese, and cheddar. It is a practical 30-minute dinner with bold flavor and minimal cleanup.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or Dutch oven with lid
- Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Instant-read food thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 small red bell pepper diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounces, with juices
- 2½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 8 ounces short dry pasta
- 1 cup frozen or drained canned corn
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened and cubed
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt as needed
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup drained and rinsed black beans
- ¼ cup diced green chiles
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Chopped cilantro tomatoes, green onions, or avocado for serving
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef in a deep skillet over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it into crumbles. Cook until browned and the center reaches 160°F. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until they begin to soften.
- Stir in the garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot and bring the liquid to a gentle boil.
- Stir in the pasta. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 to 13 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the corn during the final 2 minutes of cooking.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese until smooth.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 cup of cheddar.
- Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar on top. Cover for 2 to 3 minutes, then rest uncovered for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use a deep skillet and stir the pasta every few minutes while it simmers. Pasta shapes absorb liquid differently, so add a small splash of broth if the noodles need more cooking time.