Taco Pasta, with taco-seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, crisp corn, and of course, a loads of cheese.
This meal is prepared in ONE PAN, with the pasta even cooking in the same pot.
Pair Taco Pasta with a big salad like this Italian salad, this Caprese salad, or this Panzanella salad.
Taco Pasta Recipe
This Taco Pasta is a real winner at my home. When I’m looking for a dinner everyone will love with no complaints, this is it. It’s like the Hamburger Helper you remember growing up, but fresher and tastier. Both kids and adults love it, and it’s so simple to make.
Perfect for those busy nights when you want something delicious without the hassle and cleanup!
Ingredients In Taco Pasta
These basic ingredients come together to create a delicious dish.
- Ground beef: Ground turkey works too, but add extra salt or a touch of beef bouillon for flavor.
- Yellow onion: Contributes depth with a hint of sweetness.
- Minced garlic: Adds a strong, fragrant flavor to the dish.
- Taco seasoning: Make your own taco seasoning or grab your favorite pack.
- Mild salsa: Feel free to up the spice and use your favorite salsa.
- Frozen corn: No need to defrost, just add it in frozen.
- Elbow macaroni: Elbow macaroni is classic for its shape, but you can use other pasta shapes with the same cooking time.
- Mild taco sauce: Adjust amount based on desired heat level.
- Mexican shredded cheese or sharp cheddar cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother melt.
How To Make Taco Pasta
- Brown the Beef: Cook lean ground beef in a skillet until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in taco seasoning and cook for 30 seconds.
- Combine Ingredients: Add water, salsa, corn, pasta, taco sauce, and cooked beef to the skillet.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer. Add remaining water and cook until pasta is tender.
- Add Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted.
- Serve with Toppings: Top with your favorite toppings.
Quick Tip
Use a large nonstick skillet to cook this dish. A small pan won’t fit all the ingredients, and a nonstick surface prevents pasta from sticking and burning.
Storage
Leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze in a container or bag for up to 3 months. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
More Easy Dinner Recipes:
- One Pan Shrimp and Sausage
- Beef Tacos ready in 30 minutes or less!
- One Pan Italian Sausage & Veggies reader favorite
- One Skillet Lemon Chicken & Potatoes
- Chicken Stir Fry ready in 30 minutes or less!
Taco Pasta
Equipment
- Large pan nonstick
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef 93/7
- 1/2 cup yellow onion finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 packet taco seasoning see note 1
- 2 cups water divided
- 1 cup mild salsa see note 2
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups elbow macaroni 10 ounces
- 1 cup mild taco sauce
- 1-1/2 to 2 cups Mexican shredded cheese or sharp cheddar cheese
- Toppings as desired see note 3
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a large nonstick pan. Transfer the beef to a plate and drain the fat. Add onion and garlic to the pan. Stir until fragrant—about 30 seconds to a minute on medium-high heat. Add in the taco seasoning and stir for 30 more seconds.
- Add in 1 cup water, salsa, and corn. Stir well and add in the uncooked pasta, taco sauce, and reserved cooked beef.
- Bring mixture to a boil, then lower to low-medium heat and cover the pan with a lid. Let simmer about 5–7 minutes, then add the last cup of water and stir everything together again. Return lid and let simmer until pasta is tender, about another 5–7 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese and stir it into the pasta until melted. Top taco pasta with optional toppings of choice. I love avocado, sour cream, cherry tomatoes, and fresh cilantro or green onions. Serve immediately.
Video
Recipe Notes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika and 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano and 1/2 teaspoon roasted garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Is there something else you can sub the taco sauce for or even just leave it out? I hate taco sauce, ever since I was a kid and got some on my sleeve and had to smell it all day and just made me sick.
I haven’t tried this recipe substituting the taco sauce for anything else, so I can’t say for sure, but perhaps some salsa would work in its place? Sorry to not be of more help!
do you cook the pasta first in the taco pasta. It looks great!
The pasta gets cooked in the skillet with the other ingredients – no need to cook it beforehand.
Found this on pinterest, made it tonight with whole wheat noodles and it was Delicious! We all had a second helping!
What exactly is taco sauce?
Hi Beth! I find taco sauce in the Mexican food section of the grocery store – near enchilada sauces, refried beans, hard-shell taco shells, canned green chiles, etc. The best way I know how to describe it is a sauce kind of like enchilada sauce – you get it in the small packets at places like Taco Bell. Here’s a link to a picture of taco sauce: http://www.ortega.com/products/ortega-taco-sauce-mild-8-oz_15360 Hope that helps!
This recipe was a HUGE hit at my house! When we have it we call it Tacoroni!
LOVE the name!! Thanks so much for leaving a review 🙂
I just made this for dinner, found it on pinterest .. The best thing I have ate in such a long time! I was looking and tons of other foods on here as well, I am so excited to starting cooking these recipes thank you so much!!
This comment made my day!! Thanks so much for taking the time – I’m so glad you really enjoyed it 🙂
Looks delicious! Cant wait to try but can i ask what kind of salsa you used? Sorry, not ready to go pro making my own salsa lol, Thanks!
Thanks Lisa! I just used a store-bought salsa 🙂 You can choose your own heat preference – I use medium when I make this dish!
I made this for myself for dinner tonight.
1. It was delicious!
2. I have enough left over to feed myself for the next few days!
This is a great recipe. Thanks.
This is a winner! Everyone in the family loved it!
Made this tonight, and it was a huge hit with the entire family! Everyone asked for seconds! 🙂
Sure to become a staple dinner in our house.
Thank you!
Oh yay! That is so great to hear 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to come and comment! Have a wonderful week Kaley!