Why Make This Recipe

Taco Pasta is a fun and easy dinner that combines the best flavors of tacos and pasta. It’s a one-pot meal, which means less mess and fuss for you! This dish is perfect for busy weeknights, when time is limited but you still want to serve something delicious. The mixture of pasta, ground beef, and taco seasoning creates a hearty and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. Plus, it’s customizable with toppings and variations to suit everyone’s tastes. Whether you’re a taco lover or a pasta fan, Taco Pasta is sure to please!

How to Make Taco Pasta

Ingredients:

3 cups small shell pasta
1 pound ground beef (lean or extra lean)
1/2 cup onions (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced, optional)
1/4 cup taco seasoning
2 cups water
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Fresh cilantro (chopped, optional)

Directions:

Heat the Pan: Place a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan. Stir the meat until it is no longer pink. Make sure to break up any clumps of meat.
Drain the Fat: Once the beef is cooked, drain the fat from the pan. This step helps keep your dish from being too greasy.
Add Onions and Garlic: Next, add the chopped onions and optional minced garlic to the pan. Fry them for about 2–3 minutes until the onions are translucent and soft.
Combine Ingredients: Now it’s time to stir in the tomato sauce, taco seasoning, water, and the small shell pasta. Mix everything together well, ensuring the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
Cover and Simmer: Loosely cover the frying pan with a lid and reduce the heat to medium. Allow it to cook for about 5–10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Check the Pasta: Taste the pasta to see if it’s cooked to your liking. It should be tender but not mushy.
Add Cheese and Cilantro: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese. If you want, you can also add fresh cilantro at this step for added flavor.
Serve: Once everything is mixed and the cheese is melted, serve the Taco Pasta hot. Enjoy the delicious flavors!

How to Serve Taco Pasta

Taco Pasta is a versatile dish that you can serve in many ways. You can dish it up in bowls and let everyone add their favorite toppings. Here are some great serving suggestions:

Classic Toppings: Consider setting out toppings like sour cream, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, or avocado slices to enhance the dish.
Side Dishes: Pair Taco Pasta with a simple side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Garnish: Fresh cilantro and sliced green onions make excellent garnishes that add a pop of color and flavor.

How to Store Taco Pasta

If you have leftovers, storing Taco Pasta is straightforward:

Cool Down: Allow the dish to cool to room temperature.
Transfer: Place it in an airtight container. Make sure to keep all parts of the meal together if you haven’t mixed in the cheese yet.
Refrigerate: Store Taco Pasta in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

When you’re ready to enjoy it again, you can reheat it in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to help it heat evenly.

Tips to Make Taco Pasta

Beef Alternatives: You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. For a vegetarian version, consider using black beans or meat substitutes.
Pasta Types: Small shell pasta works great, but you can also use rotini, penne, or even spaghetti if you prefer.
Adjust Seasoning: If you want a bit more heat, feel free to add extra taco seasoning, or mix in red pepper flakes.
Extra Veggies: To boost the nutritional content, toss in some chopped bell peppers, corn, or zucchini while cooking the onions and garlic.

Variation

There are countless ways to give Taco Pasta your unique touch:

Spicy Taco Pasta: For spicy lovers, add diced jalapeños or a bit of hot sauce.
Cheesy Taco Pasta: Layer in more cheese or experiment with different cheese blends, such as pepper jack, for added flavor.
Southwestern Taco Pasta: Mix in some black beans or corn and top with avocado for a Mexican twist.

FAQs

Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Absolutely! While small shell pasta is a great choice, feel free to swap it out for whatever pasta you have on hand, such as penne, fusilli, or even spaghetti.

How can I make Taco Pasta vegetarian?
You can substitute the ground beef with black beans, pinto beans, or lentils for a hearty vegetarian version. Also, ensure the taco seasoning you use is meat-free.

Can I freeze Taco Pasta?
Yes! Taco Pasta can be frozen in an airtight container. It’s best to consume it within 2–3 months. When reheating, you may need to add a little water to help it maintain its texture.

Taco Pasta is a great recipe to keep in your cooking rotation. It comes together quickly, delivers fantastic flavors, and is adaptable to fit your family’s preferences. Happy cooking!

Taco Pasta

Author: mohamadalaoui
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: None specified

Print Recipe

Description

A fun and easy one-pot meal that combines the best flavors of tacos and pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups small shell pasta
1 pound ground beef (lean or extra lean)
1/2 cup onions (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced, optional)
1/4 cup taco seasoning
2 cups water
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Fresh cilantro (chopped, optional)

Instructions

Place a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef to the pan and stir until no longer pink, breaking up clumps.
Drain the fat from the pan.
Add the chopped onions and optional garlic, frying for 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
Stir in the tomato sauce, taco seasoning, water, and small shell pasta, ensuring pasta is submerged.
Loosely cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium, cooking for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste the pasta to ensure it’s tender but not mushy.
Remove from heat, stir in the shredded cheese and optional cilantro.
Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For variations, consider adding extra toppings like sour cream, diced tomatoes, or jalapeños. Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or beans for a vegetarian option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Taco Pasta, one-pot meal, quick dinner, easy recipe, family friendly