This Creamy Taco Pasta Recipe is a 30 minute meal that you can make in one pot! Pasta shells are smothered in cheesy taco sauce with ground beef and tomatoes.
Be sure to try my Taco Lasagna and Taco Stuffed Shells recipes next!
Taco Pasta
This is one incredibly quick and easy one pot pasta recipe that I love making for my family! I even make it for guests because it’s always such a hit. (And a great way to make use of ground beef.)
It’s like a taco version of hamburger helper, but so much better than what you’d get from a box. And literally just as fast.
I kid you not when I say that this is truly a 30 minute meal, and the fact that you only need ONE POT is just a major bonus.
How to Make it
See recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain. Add butter and garlic, cook for one minute.
Add all remaining ingredients except Cheese and Pasta. Bring to a gentle boil.
Add the pasta shells and submerge in the liquid.
Cover & Cook until al dente, as indicated on package instructions.
Reduce the heat to low. Add the cheese and stir until combined.
Yup. That’s it. Taco Pasta is Served.
Pro Tips
- This recipe makes a lot of sauce, (which I love), feel free to use a little more than 1/2 lb. of pasta.
- All chicken broth or all beef broth can be used instead of a combination if preferred.
- The cheese options are very flexible. Monterey Jack and Mozzarella are great choices. Shred them from a block at home for the creamiest consistency.
- Other types of pasta may also be used, refer to the box for cooking times. Examples include rotini, penne, and bow tie pasta.
- Diced or shredded chicken can also be used instead of ground beef. Mix it in at the end of cooking, boiling it with the pasta can make it tough.
- Optional ingredient additions: Corn, bell peppers, black beans, jalapenos.
- This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 160!
Storage
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- 4-Quart Dutch Oven– this is the perfect size for this soup. This one is high quality and you’ll have it forever. (I use one almost every time I cook!)
- Box Cheese Grater– Shredding from a block tastes and melts much better than packaged cheese.
- Pasta Shells– I used Colavita brand for this recipe, (I like the shape)!
- Garlic Twister– it’s much more flavorful to mince fresh garlic. This twister does it in seconds and is easy to clean and store.
Try These Next
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Tried This Recipe?
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Taco Pasta - (One Pot!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes (equal to 1/3 cup)* can sub with ¾ cup shredded cheese
- 1 lb. Ground Beef, 85% lean
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 oz. packet Taco Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Whole milk, at room temp
- 1 (10 oz.) can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- ½ lb. Medium pasta shells, see notes
Instructions
- Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese from a block and set aside. It should be near room temperature when added to the pasta sauce.
- Cook and crumble the ground beef over medium-high heat in a high-walled pot or dutch oven. Drain grease.
- Melt the butter in the same pot and add and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add all remaining ingredients except the cheese and pasta. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a gentle boil. Add the pasta and submerge it in the liquid. Cover and cook according to package instructions. Slide a silicone spatula along the bottom of the pot halfway through to lift any ingredients that may be settling to the bottom.
- Remove cover and ensure the pasta is sufficiently cooked. Taste-test a noodle for doneness before proceeding If needed, cover and cook longer, until your desired doneness is obtained.
- Turn heat to low. Gradually stir in cheese until melted.
- There will be plenty of sauce but it will thicken upon standing and the pasta will continue to absorb it.
- Serve once desired consistency is obtained.
Notes
- This recipe makes a lot of sauce, (which I love), feel free to use a little more than 1/2 lb. of pasta.
- All chicken broth or all beef broth can be used instead of a combination if preferred.
- The cheese options are very flexible. Shred them from a block for the creamiest consistency. Bagged shredded cheese doesn't melt as well.
- Other types of pasta may also be used, refer to the box for cooking times. Examples include rotini, penne, and bow tie pasta.
- Diced or shredded chicken can also be used instead of ground beef. Mix it in at the end of cooking, boiling it with the pasta can make it tough.
- Optional ingredient additions: Corn, bell peppers, black beans, jalapenos.
- This recipe is in The Cozy Cookbook on page 160!
The nutritional facts are an estimate and are per serving. There are 6 servings in this recipe.
I’ve been looking for easy different meals for Taco Tuesday and this one is amazing! I actually made it this morning because we work nights so we will eat a little before work and then again at our 3 a.m. lunch. It was a easy one pot meal, (and it makes a lot) I did cheat a little and used store bought shredded cheese, and jarred minced garlic just because that’s what I had in my fridge. And it was even easier because I had some already fried frozen hamb.! It turned out great! Thank you for this recipe!
Wow what a crazy schedule you’re on Lisa! I’m so happy you enjoyed this one. One pot meals have helped me out so much when I’m super busy. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! ❤️
Hey Stephanie! I love all your recipes! I was wondering would if this could be made in the crockpot? Thanks!
Hi Natalie! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear that you are enjoying the recipes! This isn’t a good contender for the crock pot as the liquid needs to be at a boil when the pasta is added, otherwise it will be gummy and it will all stick together.
This was delicious! I used half whole wheat pasta and half regular. It was creamy and yummy, thank you for the recipe!
You’re very welcome! Happy to hear you enjoyed it! This is definitely a fun one and a great way to mix things up! Thanks so much for the review!❤️
So good. I made a small mess up and turned it more into soup. But full of flavor, I love me some soup so all good.
Hi Lori! I’m glad you were still able to enjoy it! I love me some soup too, way to look on the bright side😃! Thanks so much for the review!
I just finished eating this and WOAHHHH. Super easy. I love that the pasta cooks right in there. Velveeta makes everything better! Thanks for this recipe.
I’m so happy you liked the Taco Pasta Claire!😃 I agree, you can’t beat the convenience of a good one pot meal. And yes, Velveeta is delicious!😋 Thanks so much for the review!
Amazing. Turned out perfect. I added corn and edamame as well.
Great to hear!😃 I make this one pretty often since kids seem to like it! Thanks so much for the review!
I cannot get enough of this dish! I cook it at least once a month!
Thanks so much! I make this one a lot too! It’s super easy and my little one loves it! Thanks so much for the review!😀
These aren’t considered ‘large’ pasta shells. They’re medium
I will try to make this recipe next week, hopefully
Hey Bonnie! You are SO right, I can’t believe I put large! (Can you imagine that?? lol)- Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I hope you get to try it soon! 🙂 Take care! -Stephanie
Actually, I think these would be great stuffed with the large also!
Ohhhhhh Taco Stuffed Shells, I think I’m getting an idea! 😉
This was great! My husband and son both loved it! I see this becoming a regular at my house.
Hey Brittany! That is SO great to hear…this is always a hit at my house too! 🙂 Thank you SO much for taking the time to come back here and leave a rating and a comment, I really appreciate that! Take care. -Stephanie
I made this today with a couple of substitutions. I used egg noodles and marinara sauce because I didn’t have shells or tomato paste in my pantry. But I had everything else available. I am happy to say that this recipe is amazing!!! It was so creamy and savory! I will definitely be making it again! Thank you Stephanie for always having such amazing recipes to share!
You’re the BEST ShaRonda! I’m so happy that it turned out well for you and that you were able to make those substitutions! You’re the best!!! -Stephanie
So, I love pasta, ground beef, and anything taco but despise anything tomato. How do you think it would taste if I subtracted that from the recipe?
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany, you’ll be absolutely fine omitting the diced tomatoes from this recipe, no problem! 🙂
Also, if you omit the tomato paste the consistency of the sauce just won’t be quite as thick.
Thank you Stephanie! I’ll be making this tonight!
This sounds delicious, however we don’t like Velveeta…could I just add more cheese and some cream?
Hi Melissa, I think that should be just fine! 🙂