This 35-minute One-Pot Creamy Taco Pasta is a hearty, flavor-packed dinner made with pasta, seasoned Mexican beef, and a rich, cheesy sauce—all in one pot for easy cleanup. It’s the perfect quick and comforting meal for busy weeknights!
Should You Make This
Time: Ready in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for those who are busy.
Ease: A one-pot meal with simple steps and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients: Made with pantry staples like pasta, ground beef, seasonings, onion, Ro-Tel, broth, milk, and cheese.
Sound Good? Jump to Recipe ⬇Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef - I like to use 90% so I don't have to drain the excess fat, but you can use anything from 85-95% based on your preference.
Onion - Adds a little vegetable to the dish. You can substitute in a bell pepper.
Worcestershire Sauce - Brings a deep, savory umami flavor. If you don’t have it, soy sauce makes a good substitute.
Seasoning - I used a homemade taco seasoning blend (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and oregano), but a store-bought taco seasoning packet works just as well.
Tomato Paste - Adds more flavor to the dish. Tomato sauce will give it a different texture, so I wouldn't recommend swapping it in for the paste.
Ro-Tel - If you can't find diced tomatoes with green chilies, you can use regular canned diced tomatoes.
Chicken Broth - The pasta absorbs the broth as it cooks; you can also use vegetable broth or beef broth (though beef broth will make the sauce noticeably darker).
Pasta Shells - Any short pasta will work, but cook times may vary. If your pasta takes longer to cook, you may need to add extra liquid.
Milk - You can use any kind of milk.
Mexican Cheese Blend - I like using a Mexican cheese blend, but you can also use cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
How to Make Cheesy Taco Pasta
Step 1 | Cook the Beef & Onion
In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft, then drain excess grease if needed.
Step 2 | Season
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, spices, salt, tomato paste, and Ro-Tel, mixing well until everything is evenly coated.
Step 3 | Cook the Pasta
Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a gentle boil, add the pasta, and cook for 12-14 minutes.
Step 4 | Make It Creamy
Reduce the heat to low, stir in the milk and shredded cheese until melted and smooth, and cook for 1-3 minutes until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Tips
If the pasta is still undercooked: Add ½ cup of water and continue cooking until the pasta is tender and the liquid is thick.
If the sauce is still too thin after adding the cheese: Let the pasta simmer for a few more minutes until it thickens.
Sides
- Texas Toast Garlic Bread – A crispy, buttery side to soak up the creamy sauce.
- Side Salad – A simple green salad with a zesty dressing balances the richness.
Have you tried this recipe yet? I'd love to know how it turned out! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below or tag @MeganVsKitchen on social.
One Pot Creamy Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef 90% lean
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 10 oz. can Ro-Tel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 12 oz. medium pasta shells
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- cilantro for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and Ro-Tel. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high. Add the pasta and stir.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom to prevent sticking. Continue cooking until the pasta is tender and the liquid has thickened. If the pasta is still undercooked add ½ cup of water and cook until tender with a thick sauce.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk and shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Cook for 1-3 minutes or until the sauce is thick and creamy.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
More Ground Beef Dinner Recipes
- One Pot Creamy Ground Beef Pasta - This one-pot creamy ground beef pasta is the perfect quick and easy pasta night meal.
- Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole - This cheesy, saucy Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole is easy to make with simple ingredients and no rolling.
- Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks - Perfect weeknight comfort food—ready in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
- Ground Beef Quesadillas - These are crispy, cheesy, and easy to make.
Kathy says
Tasty! Fast, simple, uses everyday ingredients and feeds an army. Will definitely make this again. Thank you!