Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in this Taco Pasta?

Yes. Ground turkey or ground chicken both work as lighter alternatives. Keep in mind that ground turkey will produce a slightly less rich and beefy flavor than ground beef, so you may want to add an extra pinch of taco seasoning to compensate for the milder base protein.

Can I use leftover taco meat to make this recipe?

Absolutely. Warm your leftover taco meat in the pan, skip directly to the step where you add the pasta and liquids, and omit the extra taco seasoning since the meat is already seasoned. This is a genuinely excellent way to give leftover taco night ingredients a delicious new life.

Why is my Taco Pasta too salty?

This usually happens when store-bought taco seasoning and regular broth are used together, since both can contain significant amounts of sodium. Using a low-sodium or no-sodium broth and making your own homemade taco seasoning gives you complete control over the final salt level of the dish.

What pasta shapes work best for this Taco Pasta recipe?

Medium shells are the best choice as their shape traps the cheesy beef sauce inside each piece. Rotini, penne, and farfalle also work well with similar cooking times. Gluten-free pasta is not recommended for this one-pan method as it tends to become too soft and mushy during the extended simmering time.

Taco Pasta The Best Cheesy One Pan 30 Minute Dinner

Name: Taco Pasta One Pan Cheesy Comfort in 30 Minutes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mexican American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1/2 cup onion finely chopped; 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cloves; 2 cups red bell pepper diced; 2 tablespoons taco seasoning low sodium; 3 cups medium shells pasta 10 oz; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 cups beef broth; 2 cups water; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese freshly grated

Description

Cheesy Taco Pasta made in one pan with seasoned ground beef, diced bell peppers, onion, garlic, shell pasta cooked directly in beef broth and taco-seasoned sauce, finished with freshly melted sharp cheddar. A quick budget-friendly 30-minute family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup onion finely chopped

1/2 tablespoon minced garlic 2 cloves

2 cups red bell pepper diced

2 tablespoons taco seasoning low sodium

3 cups medium shells pasta 10 oz

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups beef broth

2 cups water

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese freshly grated

Instructions

1. Spray large pan with olive oil and heat over medium-high 3 minutes

2. Add ground beef onion garlic and bell peppers and cook 10 minutes until beef is cooked through

3. Add dry pasta taco seasoning tomato paste broth and water stir to combine cover and bring to boil

4. Remove cover reduce to medium and cook 10 to 12 minutes stirring every few minutes until pasta is done and liquid reduced

5. Move off heat add shredded cheddar and stir until fully melted

6. Serve immediately with desired toppings

Notes

Grate cheddar fresh from a block for the smoothest melt.

Use low-sodium broth and homemade taco seasoning to control salt level.

Add a splash of broth when reheating if pasta seems dry.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner Main Course
Method: One Pan Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 cups
Calories: 586
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 376mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 51g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 102mg

Keywords: taco pasta, cheesy taco pasta, one pan taco pasta, taco pasta recipe, ground beef pasta dinner