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Easy Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet Recipe 30-Minute One-Pot Dinner

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A quick and easy one-pot taco pasta skillet that combines cheesy, flavorful ground beef with tender pasta for a comforting weeknight meal ready in 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean preferred)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8 oz medium pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 2 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Ro*Tel)
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar preferred)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
  • Sour cream (optional, for serving)
  • Optional veggie additions: frozen corn, black beans, diced bell peppers, zucchini, fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet.
  2. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons taco seasoning evenly over the beef mixture and stir to coat.
  5. Pour in 2 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth and 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (do not drain). Stir to combine.
  6. Add 8 ounces pasta directly to the skillet, pressing it down to submerge as much as possible.
  7. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  8. Remove lid and sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Stir gently until cheese is melted and creamy. Add a splash of broth or milk if too thick.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

If pasta isn’t tender after cooking time, add more broth and simmer with lid on. Stir halfway through cooking to prevent sticking. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting. For vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with mushrooms, tofu, or plant-based crumbles and add black beans for protein. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cheese and sour cream alternatives. Adjust spice level by modifying taco seasoning and tomatoes with chilies.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta, one-pot dinner, cheesy pasta skillet, quick dinner, weeknight meal, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, taco skillet

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/easy-cheesy-taco-pasta-skillet-recipe-30-minute-one-pot-dinner/