Description
How to make one pot beef taco pasta with ground beef, tender pasta and warm taco spices that creates the perfect weeknight comfort dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 12 ounces penne pasta, uncooked
Flavor Builders
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
- 3 cups beef broth, low sodium
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
Creamy Finish
- 4 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Fresh Toppings
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Brown Beef: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
- Add Aromatics: Add diced onion to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant and golden.
- Season Everything: Sprinkle taco seasoning over the beef mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aromatic oils.
- Add Liquids: Pour in diced tomatoes with juice, green chiles, and beef broth. Stir in uncooked pasta and frozen corn, ensuring pasta is mostly submerged in liquid.
- Simmer Pasta: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Add Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in cubed cream cheese until melted. Add cheddar and Monterey Jack, stirring until creamy and smooth throughout.
- Garnish & Serve: Top with fresh cilantro and green onions. Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing. The pasta will continue to thicken as it cools slightly.
Notes
- Don’t drain the diced tomatoes; the juice helps cook the pasta perfectly.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in airtight containers.
- Ground turkey can substitute for beef; add extra oil for moisture.
- Shred cheese from blocks for the smoothest, creamiest melting results.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving for ideal consistency and temperature.
- Add jalapeños or cayenne for extra heat to suit adult tastes perfectly.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g