Craving the vibrant flavors of taco night blended with the comforting warmth of a hearty pasta dish? Look no further than this incredibly satisfying **One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta** recipe! It’s a true weeknight hero, combining seasoned ground beef, zesty tomato sauce, fire-roasted Rotel, and perfectly cooked pasta shells, all bound together in a rich, creamy, and undeniably cheesy sauce. What makes this recipe a game-changer is that everything cooks in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor. It’s truly a delicious recipe the entire family will love, from the pickiest eaters to the most seasoned food critics.

This cheesy taco pasta recipe perfectly balances the robust flavors of a classic taco with the satisfying texture of pasta. It’s incredibly hearty, making it a fulfilling meal on its own, and the rich, thick sauce ensures every bite is packed with deliciousness. Top it with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or even some sliced avocado for an extra burst of freshness and creamy texture.

The absolute best part about this taco pasta recipe? It all comes together in just one pot! This means significantly less time spent washing dishes after dinner, leaving you more time to enjoy your meal and relax. It’s ideal for those busy weeknights when you need a flavorful, comforting, and quick meal without the hassle.

If you’re a fan of fuss-free, easy one-pot meals, make sure to bookmark some of my other favorites like my creamy one-pot rigatoni and my one-pot Philly cheesesteak pasta. For those who love their Instant Pot, you can also try my convenient Instant Pot version of this very recipe, offering another fantastic way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love This One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

This one-pot taco pasta isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a culinary hack for busy individuals and families alike. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your meal rotation:

• Ultimate One-Pot Meal: Say goodbye to stacks of dirty dishes! This entire flavorful dish, from browning the beef to cooking the pasta and melting the cheese, happens in just one pot. This means less scrubbing and more time enjoying your evening. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when time is of the essence but flavor can’t be compromised.
• Effortlessly Easy Recipe: You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to master this recipe. The steps are straightforward, making it incredibly beginner-friendly. There’s no special equipment required beyond a large pot, making it accessible to any home cook. Just a few simple steps stand between you and a delightful family dinner.
• Made with Simple Pantry Staples: Forget about searching for exotic ingredients. This recipe relies on readily available items you likely already have in your pantry and refrigerator, or can easily find at any local grocery store. This makes last-minute meal planning a breeze and keeps your grocery budget in check.
• Hearty & Flavorful: This dish is packed with robust Tex-Mex flavors from the seasoned ground beef, zesty tomatoes, and melted cheese, creating a truly satisfying and comforting meal. It’s substantial enough to feed a crowd and guarantees full, happy bellies.
• Highly Customizable: Whether you prefer it mild or spicy, or want to add extra vegetables or different proteins, this recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s a fantastic base for experimenting with your favorite flavors and ingredients.

Essential Ingredients for Cheesy Taco Pasta

Creating this delicious one-pot taco pasta requires a few key components that work together to build its incredible flavor and creamy texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:

• Ground Beef: This is the hearty protein base of our taco pasta. You can use lean ground beef, ground chuck, ground round, or ground sirloin. Opting for a leaner variety (85-90% lean) will result in less fat to drain, making the process even quicker. The savory beef perfectly complements the taco seasoning.
• Onion: Diced yellow, white, red, or sweet onion will all work beautifully. Onions add an aromatic base and a subtle sweetness that balances the rich and spicy notes of the taco seasoning. Dice it finely so it blends seamlessly into the sauce.
• Homemade Seasoning Blend: This carefully selected blend includes chili powder for warmth, ground cumin for an earthy depth, smoked paprika (or regular paprika) for a touch of smoky flavor and color, dried oregano for herbaceous notes, kosher salt to enhance all flavors, and ground black pepper for a slight kick. This combination truly brings the classic taco flavor to life.
• Chicken Broth: The pasta cooks directly in the broth, infusing it with flavor from the start. Chicken broth adds a rich savory liquid base that helps create the creamy sauce as the starches release from the pasta. You can use low-sodium broth to better control the overall saltiness of the dish.
• Tomato Sauce: Canned plain tomato sauce provides a vibrant, slightly sweet and tangy tomato base for the sauce. You’ll find it usually next to the diced tomatoes in the canned goods aisle. It thickens beautifully as the pasta cooks.
• Rotel (Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies): This popular ingredient is a secret weapon for Tex-Mex flavor. Rotel (or a similar brand of diced tomatoes and green chilies) adds a lovely acidity, chunks of tomato, and a mild, pleasant heat from the green chilies. You can choose original, mild, or hot, depending on your spice preference. Remember to include the liquid from the can!
• Medium Pasta Shells: Shells are fantastic for this recipe because their shape perfectly captures the cheesy sauce and seasoned ground beef. Ensure your pasta is uncooked when adding it to the pot, as it will cook directly in the flavorful broth mixture. Small to medium pasta shapes work best for one-pot recipes.
• Cheddar Cheese: I highly recommend using sharp cheddar cheese for a more pronounced flavor, but medium or mild cheddar also works well. Cheddar provides that classic, tangy cheese flavor that pairs perfectly with tacos. Freshly shredded cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded varieties.
• Colby Jack Cheese: This delicious blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses offers a mild, buttery flavor and exceptional melting properties. It helps create that wonderfully smooth and gooey sauce, contributing to the overall creaminess and rich texture of the dish.
• Fresh Cilantro (Optional Garnish): A sprinkle of fresh cilantro at the end adds a bright, herbaceous, and fresh finish to the dish. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, fresh parsley is a great alternative.

For exact quantities and measurements, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card below.

Step 1: Brown the Meat and Sauté Onion. In a large Dutch oven or a sturdy pot, add your ground beef and diced onion. Cook this mixture over medium-high heat, breaking up the beef with a spoon as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the ground beef is fully browned and no longer pink, and the diced onion has softened and become translucent. If using ground beef with a higher fat content, you may want to drain off any excess grease before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Season the Meat. Once the beef is browned and the onion is soft, add your carefully measured chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir the spices thoroughly into the meat mixture to ensure everything is well coated. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the spices to bloom and release their incredible aromas, infusing the ground beef with authentic taco flavor.

Step 3: Add Liquids and Pasta. To the fragrant taco meat, add the uncooked pasta shells, chicken broth, tomato sauce, and the can of Rotel (including its liquid). Stir everything well to combine, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the entire mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for approximately 15 minutes, or until the pasta reaches an al dente texture. It is crucial to stir occasionally (every 3-4 minutes) during this simmering period to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot and to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Melt the Cheese. Once the pasta is cooked to your desired al dente tenderness and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pot from the heat. This is important to prevent the cheese from seizing. Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Colby Jack cheese, a little at a time. Continue stirring gently until all the cheese has melted into a wonderfully creamy, thick, and homogenous sauce that coats every piece of pasta and beef. This creates the signature cheesy texture that makes this dish so irresistible.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve. For a fresh burst of flavor and color, garnish your cheesy taco pasta with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro (this is optional, but highly recommended if you enjoy cilantro). Serve the pasta warm and immediately to best enjoy its creamy texture. You can also offer additional toppings like sour cream, sliced green onions, or even a dash of hot sauce for those who like extra heat.

This cheesy taco pasta is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad or some warm tortilla chips for dipping.

Expert Tips for Perfect Taco Pasta

Achieving the perfect creamy, cheesy taco pasta is easy with these simple tips:

• Don’t Forget to Cover and Stir: As the pasta cooks, it’s essential to keep the pot covered to trap steam and ensure the pasta cooks evenly. However, because this is a one-pot pasta dish, the pasta is cooking in less liquid than it typically would when boiled separately. This means constant, occasional stirring (every 3-4 minutes) is incredibly important. This prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, helps distribute the sauce, and ensures all noodles cook properly.
• Shred Your Own Cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly shredded cheddar and Colby Jack will melt much smoother and more evenly into your sauce. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce slightly grainy.
• Adjust Spice Level: Taste the mixture before adding the pasta. If you prefer more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce. For a milder dish, you can use mild Rotel or reduce the chili powder slightly.
• Al Dente is Key: Cook the pasta until it’s al dente (firm to the bite). It will continue to soften slightly as it rests in the hot sauce. Overcooked pasta can become mushy and compromise the texture of the dish.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pot: Using a large enough pot is crucial. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking of the pasta and prevent the sauce from thickening properly.

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One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

Absolutely! While medium pasta shells are excellent for scooping up the creamy sauce, many other small to medium pasta cuts will work wonderfully. Good options include penne, elbow macaroni, rotini, ziti, or orecchiette. Just be aware that cooking times might vary slightly depending on the pasta shape and thickness, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

This recipe is very versatile for adding extra vegetables! Red or green bell pepper (diced), corn (fresh or frozen), and diced or shredded zucchini are perfect additions that complement the Tex-Mex flavor profile. For best results, add firmer vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini when you cook the onions and ground beef, allowing them time to soften. Frozen corn can be added during the simmering phase with the pasta.

Easily! To make it spicier, you can use “hot” Rotel, add a pinch of cayenne pepper with the other seasonings, or stir in a dash of your favorite hot sauce at the end. For a milder version, use “mild” Rotel and adjust the chili powder to your taste. You can also skip the smoked paprika if you prefer a less smoky flavor.

Important Food Safety Guidelines

Ensuring food safety is paramount when preparing any meal, especially those involving raw meat. Follow these guidelines to keep your kitchen and family safe:

• Cook the Ground Beef Thoroughly: Always ensure that the ground beef is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). It should be uniformly brown with no pink showing. Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check.
• Handle Ingredients Safely: Keep all perishable ingredients, especially raw meat, refrigerated until you are ready to use them. Prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meat and other ingredients (like vegetables). Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after handling raw meat.
• Store Leftovers Properly: If you have any leftover taco pasta, it’s crucial to allow it to cool quickly before refrigerating. Store leftovers in a shallow, airtight container in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days.
• Reheat Safely: When reheating leftovers, ensure they are heated through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

For more detailed food safety guidelines and information, please refer to USDA.gov.

More Easy & Delicious One-Pot Recipes

If you’ve enjoyed the convenience and flavor of this one-pot cheesy taco pasta, you’ll love these other family-favorite, simple dishes that minimize cleanup and maximize taste: