Cheesy Taco Pasta
No matter how often I make this cheesy taco pasta, I catch my family sneaking bites straight from the pan before I can even get it on the table. You can’t go wrong with pasta, taco seasoned ground beef, and tons of cheesy goodness.
This taco pasta puts a fun twist on Taco Hamburger Helper. It was a childhood favorite of mine. But this homemade version is so much better!
If you’re planning Taco Tuesday or just need a quick weeknight meal that’ll make everyone happy, this 30 minute recipe is perfect. Made with lean beef, spicy taco flavors, tender pasta, and a creamy, cheesy sauce.
The best part? You can cook the pasta and use leftover taco meat to cut the cook time down to 15 minutes! I always have some leftover when I make taco meat for a crowd, so I just pull it out of the freezer and dinner is practically done.
Serve it with this Mexican cheese ball, these taco sticks, or some chips and salsa.
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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta – I like rotini or corkscrew shape for this recipe but really any type of pasta will work.
- Ground Beef – I like a lean ground beef (93/7) for this but use what you have. Leaner beef might need a little oil in the pan when browning the meat.
- Taco Seasoning – You can use a 1 ounce packet from the store or use a homemade taco seasoning. I have a mild version that is delicious!
- Cheese – I like the flavor of Colby Jack with the taco seasoning but use your favorite or what you have on hand. Cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend taste great too!
- Rotel – If you don’t have a can of this you can use a drained can of diced tomatoes and a small can of chopped green chilies.
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How To Make Taco Pasta
- Cook pasta al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a pan, over medium high heat, add oil and chopped onions. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are softened. Add the ground beef and break it down into pieces.
- Add the taco seasoning, water, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix well and cook the meat until there is no longer pink. Add the cooked pasta. Mix until the pasta is all covered with the meat mixture.
- Add the drained can of Rotel tomatoes and green chilies and mix. Add the sour cream and shredded cheese to the pasta and mix well until all ingredients are well blended. Serve and Enjoy!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove top until its hot all the way through.
You can store it in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Next time you make it, double the recipe and freeze some for a busy weeknight meal.
Easy Mexican Meals
This easy Mexican dinner is just as quick and delicious as this Frozen Burrito Casserole or this Walking Taco Casserole and the whole family will love them.
If you want to do a fun game day spread or just a fun gathering, serve it along with this crescent roll taco ring, these walking tacos, and this chili cheese dip.
Crock Pot Version
For the Crock Pot, brown the ground beef and drain. Add the meat, onion, Rotel, taco season, spices, and 1 cup of water to a slow cooker or crock pot.
Stir to combine. Cook on low for 4 hours.Separately, cook the pasta according to the package. While pasta is cooking, add sour cream to the meat mixture in the slow cooker and stir until incorporated.
Add pasta and cheese to crock pot and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes and enjoy!
Instant Pot Version
For the Instant Pot, turn the setting to sauté. Add in ground beef and onions. Crumble ground beef and allow to cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Turn pot off, and add water, scraping up all flavor bits from the beef and onion. Add tomatoes, taco seasoning, and spices and mix well.
Add pasta and cover with water. Close and lock lid. Set on high for 4 minutes and do a quick release. Carefully remove lid and stir in sour cream and cheese until all is melted and everything is smothered in the sauce and enjoy!
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Substitute ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, or ground lamb instead of ground beef. Make it with shredded chicken and this chicken taco seasoning.
- Change the shape of the pasta to bow tie, pasta shells, or your favorite shape. A short pasta noodle works best.
- Substitute the water for chicken broth or beef broth.
- Add in some veggies like bell peppers for more color and texture.
- Make it vegetarian by adding beans (black beans are great in this) instead of meat.
- Shred your cheese at home from a block for better melting.
- Serve straight out of the pan or add your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, black olives, diced tomatoes, and chopped cilantro.
- Add some crunch with crushed tortilla chips.
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This cheesy taco pasta recipes is a hearty one pot, 30 minute meal, that is perfect for the whole family. Easy to make, this taco pasta feeds a crowd with plenty of leftovers!
Cheesy Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1/4 cup chopped white onions
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounces taco seasoning + 2/3 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 10 ounces Rotel drained
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded colby jack cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to packaging. Set aside.
- In a pan, over medium heat, add oil and chopped onions.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions are tender, translucent.
- Add the ground beef and break it down into pieces.
- Add the taco seasoning, water, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix well and cook the meat until there is no more pink.
- Add the cooked pasta. The pasta maybe sticky, it will help the sauce to stick to it.
- Mix until the pasta is all covered with the meat mixture.
- Add the drained can of drained tomatoes and green chilies and mix.
- Add the sour cream and cheese to the pasta and mix well until all ingredients are well blended.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey, ground pork, ground chicken, or ground lamb instead of ground beef. Make it with shredded chicken and this chicken taco seasoning.
- Change the shape of the pasta to bow tie, pasta shells, or your favorite shape. A short pasta noodle works best.
- Substitute the water for chicken broth or beef broth.
- Add in some veggies like bell peppers for more color and texture.
- Make it vegetarian by adding beans (black beans are great in this) instead of meat.
- Shred your cheese at home from a block for better melting.
- Serve straight out of the pan or add your favorite taco toppings like sour cream, black olives, or diced tomatoes.
- Add some crunch with crushed tortilla chips.
Nutrition
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