Description
This One Pot Beef Taco Pasta is a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and cheddar cheese cooked all in one skillet. The dish is infused with taco seasoning and simmered until the pasta is tender, making it a delicious and convenient meal perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 3 cups beef broth
Pasta and Toppings
- 2 cups rotini pasta, uncooked
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
- Season Meat: Stir in taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices and enhance their flavor.
- Add Liquids: Pour in diced tomatoes with green chilies and beef broth. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Pasta and Boil: Add rotini pasta to the skillet. Stir well, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12–15 minutes. Stir occasionally, until pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Add Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the pasta.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve the pasta hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and calories.
- You can substitute rotini with any short pasta of your choice.
- Adjust the spice level by using mild or hot taco seasoning based on preference.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, add a splash of milk or cream when stirring in the cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
