One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta
If taco night and Hamburger Helper had a baby, this would be it.
This easy one-pan cheesy taco pasta has all the flavors of taco night in a cozy, family-friendly pasta dinner — and everything cooks right in the same skillet, which means fewer dishes at the end of the night.
Servings: 4–5
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
½–1 teaspoon chili powder, optional for extra heat
¼ cup Rao’s marinara sauce or another good-quality marinara
¾ cup mild or medium salsa
2¾ cups beef broth or beef bone broth
8 ounces small pasta shells, about half of a 1-pound box
½–1 cup corn
1 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese
Additional shredded cheese for topping, optional
Chopped cilantro, avocado or lime for serving, optional
Directions
1. Brown the Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook until the beef is browned and the onion has softened.
Drain excess grease if needed.
2. Add the Seasonings
Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Stir in the taco seasoning and chili powder, if using.
3. Make the Sauce
Stir in the marinara and salsa.
Pour in the beef broth and stir everything together.
4. Cook the Pasta
Add the uncooked pasta shells directly to the skillet and stir well.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat, cover and cook for approximately 10–12 minutes, stirring every 2–3 minutes so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom.
The pasta should be mostly surrounded by liquid while it cooks, but it doesn't need to be completely submerged.
Continue cooking until the shells are tender. If your pasta absorbs the liquid particularly quickly, add a small splash of broth or water as needed.
5. Add the Corn and Cheese
Once the pasta is almost fully cooked, stir in the corn.
When the pasta is tender, reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded Mexican cheese until melted and creamy.
For an extra-cheesy finish, sprinkle a little additional cheese over the top, cover the skillet for 1–2 minutes and allow it to melt.
6. Serve
Top with chopped cilantro, avocado or a squeeze of lime if desired.
Serve warm.
Notes
For a more kid-friendly, mild version, skip the chili powder and use mild taco seasoning and mild salsa.
Taco seasoning brands vary in heat level, so taste as you go.
Beef bone broth works perfectly in place of regular beef broth.
I used small pasta shells, but elbows or another small pasta shape should also work. Cooking time and the amount of liquid needed may vary slightly.
Regular corn works perfectly here — there's no need to char it first.
If your family likes some heat, use the chili powder and a medium salsa.
