This taco pasta blends the zesty flavors of taco night with the creamy, comforting flavors of a cheesy pasta bake, all in one pot for maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
Whip up this taco pasta recipe that combines a hearty pasta dish with the zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine. Perfect for busy weeknights, this 30-minute meal is similar to my hamburger helper or cheeseburger casserole recipe but with a Mexican twist.
If you love the comfort of Mexican lasagna or the cheesy goodness of cheesy enchilada pasta, then this taco pasta will surely become a new favorite.
Why This Recipe Works
- Effortless and quick: Embracing the essence of one pot recipes, this taco pasta ensures you get a delicious meal in just 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights!
- Family-friendly flavor: Taco pasta blends the savory taste of ground beef, the creaminess of cheese and mild taco seasoning to create a family-friendly dish!
Taco Pasta Recipe Ingredients
The Mexican-inspired flavors of this dish are easy to create at home!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Ground beef: I use lean ground beef for the best flavor.
- Aromatics and Seasoning: Onions, garlic, and store-bought or homemade taco seasoning.
- Rotel: This is a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles.
- Pasta shells: The medium shell shape cradles the sauce perfectly. You might like my Mexican stuffed shells recipe if you’re in the mood for large pasta shells.
- For the creaminess: You’ll need both cream cheese and sour cream.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese is great for a gooey, melty finish.
- Optional toppings: Cilantro, tomatoes, green onions, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and avocados for freshness.
Substitutions and Variations
- Meat options: Like most ground beef recipes, you can substitute lighter ground turkey, we love it in my easy shell pasta with ground turkey.
- Pasta varieties: Swap the medium pasta shells with penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni to keep every bite interesting.
- Vegetarian twist: Turn this dish into a vegetarian cheesy taco pasta by replacing the meat with black beans.
- Extra spice: If you like it hot, add a dash of jalapeño, red pepper flakes, or chili powder.
How to Make Taco Pasta
Start by cooking your pasta to al dente perfection. While pasta is cooking, brown the hamburger with onions, then stir in garlic, taco seasoning, and a touch of seasoning for depth.
Off the heat, blend in the cream cheese, sour cream, and a generous sprinkle of cheese until creamy.
Combine the meat mixture with the noodles, add a final layer of cheese, and let it melt into gooey goodness.
Cooking Tips
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency of the sauce, ensuring it’s perfectly silky.
- Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature so it blends easily into the sauce.
- To prevent mushy pasta, cook it just until it’s al dente, as it will continue to soften when mixed with the sauce.
- For an added kick, use pepper-jack cheese. If you love it cheesier, add another 1/2 cup cheese.
More Mexican recipes we love include this slow cooker taco lasagna, taco salad and taco casserole!
More Taco Inspired Recipes
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Taco Pasta Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean hamburger
- ½ onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning , more to taste
- 10 ounce can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chile)
- ½ pound medium pasta shells , about 2.5 cups dry
- 3 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- Salt and Pepper , to taste
Optional toppings: cilantro, tomatoes, avocados, sour cream, green onions
Instructions
- Cook the noodles al dante according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup water.
- While the noodles are cooking, cook the hamburger and onions in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir in the garlic and taco seasoning and cook for an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove from heat and stir in the Rotel, cream cheese, sour cream and 1/2 cup cheese. Add more seasoning to taste.
- Stir in the noodles and bring the heat to low. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top and cover with the lid until melted. Then stir in the noodles.
- Top with your favorite toppings and serve while warm.
Notes
- Can sub ground turkey for hamburger meat.
- Rotini, macaroni or penne noodles will work too.
- Add extra spice with some jalepeno or chili powder.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Recipe FAQs
If Rotel isn’t available, you can use a combination of diced tomatoes and canned green chiles. Alternatively, a can of plain diced tomatoes with a teaspoon of diced jalapeños or your favorite salsa can work in a pinch.
A fresh green salad would go well with the dish. Don’t forget the toppings like sour cream, green onions, and diced avocado!
While best served fresh, you can prepare this dish ahead and then just reheat the taco pasta. Just be aware that the pasta may absorb more sauce upon standing, so you might want to add a splash of water or broth when reheating to loosen it up.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta may absorb some of the sauce, so it might be slightly thicker when reheated. Add a splash of water to thin the sauce out if necessary when reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 30 Minute Meals, American, Beef, Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Kid-Friendly, Meal Prep, Mexican, Stovetop
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Delicious recipe and an easy weeknight dinner that we will make again! – Recipe Tester
It’s a great feeling to find a new menu item to add to the rotation!
This was an easy recipe to prepare. It tasted even better the next day! Great recipe!
I am so thankful found this recipe- actually all 3 kids ate it and loved it! That’s huge!
Such a perfect weeknight meal! My whole family loved this, and I love how easy it was to make!
This turned out so yummy! It truly was so easy to make. The whole family loved it.