Easy Ground Beef Taco Pasta
The whole family will love this easy taco pasta recipe! Made on the stovetop with ground beef, and a cheesy tomato sauce with taco seasoning.
I love a good creamy pasta recipe in the skillet, and this Ground Beef Taco pasta has recently become a favorite in our house! It’s a little bit creamy, a little bit cheesy, and a little bit tangy from the tomatoes and seasonings.
This is one of those easy weeknight dinner recipes that you can throw together super quick, and everyone in the family will actually eat it! For me, it’s pretty similar to my much-loved bratwurst pasta recipe in how quick it is to throw together.
Recipes like this taco pasta or one-pot enchilada pasta have a Mexican twist but aren’t spicy at all. Just comfort food at its best!
Recipe Substitutions
This recipe is super easy to customize! I have several suggestions for you:
- Use whatever ground protein you prefer. Try ground chicken, ground turkey, or a ground meat substitute as well. You could even substitute black beans or diced mushrooms!
- A cup of corn or 1/4 cup of diced green chilies are great additions that add both texture and flavor!
- Use your favorite pasta shape that stands up to a thick meat sauce. If you don’t want to use bowties, try penne, rotini, elbow macaroni, rigatoni or small shells.
- Instead of the canned tomato soup, you can use an equal amount of canned tomato sauce, pureed cooked tomatoes or a can or diced tomatoes.
- Substitute whole or 2% milk for the half & half, or even heavy cream or plain Greek yogurt. If using heavy cream or plain Greek yogurt, add a little extra pasta water to thin the sauce a bit.
- The sauce will thicken as it simmers and also as it cools. If you find that your sauce is too thick, stir in a few tablespoons of water at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Add protein and fiber by substituting chickpea pasta for regular pasta.
- You can use a store-bought packet of taco seasoning or mix your own. I do like to either buy low sodium taco seasoning or make my own. If mixing your own, add a teaspoon of cornstarch to the sauce to help thicken it if needed, as store-bought taco seasoning usually contains cornstarch.
Serving Suggestions
I think this taco pasta is awesome with a simple side salad! You could also make this Mexican corn salad or Mexican corn casserole for a heartier side dish.
You can enjoy this pasta as is, or top it with sliced jalapenos, cheese, sour cream or avocado slices!
Storing Leftover Taco Pasta
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave on half power until warmed through.
Easy Ground Beef Taco Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, small, diced
- 1 pound ground beef, lean
- 10.75 ounces tomato soup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, sharp, shredded
- ½ cup chicken broth, or veggie broth
- ½ cup half & half
- 1 ounce packet, 1 packet
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- ¼-½ cup reserved pasta water
For garnish (optional):
- chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, sliced jalapeno, sliced avocado, salsa
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. Add the pasta and cook to al dente, according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, reserving ¼-½ cup of the pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
- Drain the fat from the cooked beef & onions and return it to the pan. Reduce to low medium heat.
- Add the canned tomato soup and tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese and cook until it starts to melt.
- Pour in the chicken broth & half & half. Stir to combine.
- Finally, add the taco seasoning, stirring gently until fully incorporated, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow to cook for 5-10 minutes until the sauce is thickened.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the meat & tomato sauce. Add pasta water to thin out the sauce as necessary.
- Serve hot, topped with chopped cilantro extra cheese, sour cream, avocado, and sliced jalapeños if desired.
Notes
- 1.5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
