How to Make the Perfect Taco Pasta
Mexican American · Easy · 30 min · 5 servings
Taco pasta is an exciting twist on two family favorites that makes for one seriously fun kid friendly recipe night after night. Kids go wild for the bold taco seasoned beef combined with cheesy pasta and parents love that this crowd pleasing dinner uses simple ingredients they almost always have on hand.
Why this recipe works
This Taco Pasta recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 30 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 490 calories with 26g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 7 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes drained
- 0.5 cup sour cream
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large deep skillet over medium high heat and add the ground beef. Cook while breaking it apart with a spatula for about 7 minutes until fully browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat from the pan before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Season and Add Liquid
Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned beef and stir to coat. Add the drained diced tomatoes and beef broth to the skillet and stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta in the Sauce
Add the dry elbow macaroni directly into the boiling beef and broth mixture in the skillet. Stir well, then reduce heat to medium. Cover the pan and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Step 4: Melt Cheese and Serve
Remove the pan from heat and dollop the sour cream over the pasta, stirring it in gently for extra creaminess. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top and cover the pan for 2 minutes to let it melt. Serve directly from the skillet for easy cleanup and maximum fun.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground beef → ground turkey or ground chicken keeps the taco flavor while reducing fat
- beef broth → chicken broth or water with a bouillon cube works just as well in this one pan dish
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not stirring the pasta while it cooks in the broth which causes it to stick to the bottom of the pan and burn
- Skipping the step of draining fat after browning the beef which makes the final dish greasy and heavy
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 490 calories, 26g protein, 50g carbs, 20g fat, 4g fiber.
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