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Creamy One-Pot Loaded Taco Pasta

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A quick and easy one-pot taco pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights, combining seasoned beef, pasta, and a creamy cheese sauce for a comforting Tex-Mex twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 8 oz uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (no-salt-added preferred)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 115 g)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 jalapeño, diced (optional)
  • Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Sour cream (optional, for topping)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat a large deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Stir and cook for another 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly over the beef mixture. Stir well to coat all meat and vegetables, letting spices toast slightly for deeper flavor, about 1 minute.
  4. Pour in tomato sauce and beef broth. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Add uncooked pasta, ensuring it is submerged in the liquid. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a lid.
  6. Simmer pasta, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender but still slightly firm (al dente).
  7. Reduce heat to very low. Gradually stir in softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar until melted and smooth. Add a splash of broth or milk if sauce is too thick.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or more taco seasoning if needed. Fold in diced jalapeño if desired for extra heat.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and a dollop of sour cream if using.

Notes

Stir gently but regularly during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking. Add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too quickly. Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid clumps. Let dish rest off heat for a few minutes to meld flavors. For dairy-free, swap cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese or Greek yogurt added off heat. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or substitute with cooked rice or quinoa.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, taco pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy pasta, Tex-Mex, ground beef, quick recipe

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/creamy-one-pot-loaded-taco-pasta-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinners/