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One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta: Quick Family Dinner

A spoonful of cheesy taco pasta is lifted from a white bowl, showing long, gooey cheese pulls and ground beef.
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Make this easy, one-pot cheesy taco pasta for a satisfying weeknight meal. It tastes like homemade Hamburger Helper, uses simple ingredients, and requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) taco seasoning
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium broth
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small shell pasta
  • 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef and chopped onion in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the water or broth, the can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, and the dry pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. The pasta should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the milk until combined.
  6. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese to the pot. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Serve immediately as a hearty pasta supper.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute 1 cup of the water with 1 cup of heavy cream when adding the liquid.
  • If you have leftover taco meat, you can skip browning the beef and use 1.5 cups of pre-cooked meat instead.
  • Stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro or green onions just before serving for added freshness.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/cheesy-taco-pasta-one-pot-recipe/