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Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta

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A quick and delicious one-pan meal combining all your favorite taco flavors with hearty pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 ½ lbs Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 large Yellow Onion, diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 oz) can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies (Rotel), undrained
  • 1 (8 oz) can Tomato Sauce
  • 1 (6 oz) can Tomato Paste
  • 2 ¼ cups Beef Broth
  • 1 ½ cups Water
  • 1 (1 oz) packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Ground Cumin
  • ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp Black Pepper
  • 12 oz Elbow Macaroni or Medium Shell Pasta
  • 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep Ingredients: Chop onion and mince garlic. Shred cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Measure all liquids, spices, and have pasta ready.
  2. Brown Beef & Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat (7-10 mins). Drain excess fat. Add diced onion and cook until softened (5-7 mins). Add minced garlic and cook 30-60 seconds until fragrant, then stir into beef.
  3. Build Sauce Base: Add tomato paste to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until darkened. Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, and smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water. Stir well, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Cook Pasta: Add pasta to the simmering sauce, stirring to submerge. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring every 2-3 minutes, until pasta is al dente and sauce is thick. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Add Cheese & Melt: Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the pasta. Cover the skillet and let sit for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve: Remove lid, let rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, sour cream, avocado, or jalapeños if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Taco Pasta, One-Pan Dinner, Comfort Food

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