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Ultimate One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta (Better Than Hamburger Helper)

A serving spoon lifts a portion of cheesy taco pasta, showing long, melted cheese strings stretching from the pan.
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Make this easy, one-pot cheesy taco pasta for a quick weeknight dinner. It uses ground beef and taco seasoning for bold flavor and requires minimal cleanup, making it a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (10 ounce) can water
  • 1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or small pasta shells
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 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. Add the diced tomatoes and green chilies, tomato sauce, water, and taco seasoning to the pot. Stir to combine with the meat.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Add the dry pasta to the boiling mixture. Stir well to submerge the pasta.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the milk and 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy.
  7. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and all of the Monterey Jack cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
  8. Serve immediately. Top with extra cheese if desired.

Notes

  • For a creamier sauce, use whole milk or add 1/4 cup of heavy cream with the milk.
  • You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based ground substitute.
  • If you prefer a pasta bake, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes until bubbly.

Nutrition

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