One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet

This one-pot dinner cooks pasta right in taco-seasoned broth, so it soaks up all that flavor as it simmers instead of needing a separate sauce. Melted cheese stirred in at the end makes it rich and creamy, and a short rest lets everything thicken up before serving. It's a fast weeknight dinner with all your favorite taco toppings piled on top.

Pasta simmers directly in taco-seasoned broth with ground beef, then gets finished with melted cheese for a creamy one-pot dinner.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fast: ready in about 30 minutes (10 min prep, 20 min cook)
• Simple: 10 everyday ingredients
• Feeds the family: 4 servings
• Light: about 500 calories per serving

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey or chicken)
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
• 2 cups pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, or shells work well)
• 1 can diced tomatoes or Rotel (undrained)
• 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
• 1 cup canned corn
• 1 cup black beans
• 1 diced bell pepper
• Sliced jalapeños for heat

Instructions

1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until fully browned, draining excess grease if needed.
2. Stir in the taco seasoning until well combined with the beef.
3. Add the uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes with their juices, and broth, and stir everything together.
4. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Stir in the shredded cheese until fully melted and creamy.
6. Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes to thicken, then top with sour cream, cilantro, avocado, or your favorite taco toppings.

Cooking Tips

• Stir occasionally while the pasta simmers so it cooks evenly and doesn't stick to the pan.
• Let the skillet rest for a few minutes off the heat so the sauce thickens before serving.
• Add cheese gradually and stir well so it melts smoothly instead of clumping.

Substitutions

• Ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef.
• Black beans or corn can be added for extra texture and flavor.
• A dairy-free cheese can be used for a lighter or dairy-free version.

Storage

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Top with sour cream, fresh cilantro, and avocado slices.
• Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
• Serve with tortilla chips on the side for crunch.

Nutrition (per serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	500 kcal

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