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Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 104 reviews

This Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta combines the bold flavors of seasoned ground beef, tangy tomatoes with green chilies, and creamy cheese sauce over tender shell pasta. It’s a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat & Spices

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried minced onion
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Vegetables & Sauces

  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel brand preferred)

Liquids

  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk (divided)
  • 1 cup water

Pasta & Cheese

  • 8 oz shell pasta
  • 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  2. Add spices and tomato paste: Stir in the ground cumin, dried minced onion, garlic powder, and tomato paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes to allow the spices and tomato paste to release their flavors.
  3. Add tomatoes and liquids: Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, 1 cup of whole milk, and water to the skillet. Stir everything together.
  4. Add pasta: Pour in the shell pasta and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  5. Simmer pasta: Simmer uncovered until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  6. Add remaining milk and cheese: Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup whole milk, Monterey Jack, and mild cheddar cheeses until melted and the sauce is creamy and cheesy.
  7. Serve: Remove from heat and let it rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy your hearty, cheesy beef taco pasta!

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce with the tomatoes.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a lighter variation.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
  • For extra creaminess, add a dollop of sour cream before serving.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Cheesy beef taco pasta, ground beef pasta, taco pasta skillet, easy weeknight dinners, creamy taco pasta

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/cheesy-beef-taco-pasta-recipe/