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Creamy One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot pasta dish combining seasoned ground beef, taco spices, and a creamy cheesy sauce for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or ground turkey
  • 8 ounces (225 g) medium pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne)
  • 1 can (10 ounces / 280 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 2 cups (475 ml) beef broth or chicken broth
  • 4 ounces (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (115 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
  2. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent and soft, about 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
  4. Add ground beef to the pan, break it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  5. Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir to coat the meat evenly. Let spices toast for 1 minute.
  6. Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Stir to combine.
  7. Add uncooked pasta directly to the skillet and stir to ensure pasta is submerged in liquid.
  8. Cover skillet and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender but not mushy.
  9. Turn off heat and stir in softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy.
  10. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of broth or water if sauce is too thick.
  11. Serve hot, garnished with optional cilantro, jalapeños, or avocado slices.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese for smooth melting. Stir gently to avoid breaking pasta. If sauce is thin after adding cheese, let it sit covered off heat for 5 minutes to thicken. Adjust spice level by adding cayenne or jalapeños. For dairy-free, substitute vegan cheeses and almond milk for broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheesy taco pasta, easy dinner, quick meal, ground beef pasta, creamy pasta, taco seasoning, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/creamy-one-pot-cheesy-taco-pasta-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-dinner/