Description
This one-pot Taco Pasta recipe combines flavorful ground beef, a creamy cheese mixture, and zesty taco seasonings, all cooked together for a quick and easy meal perfect for busy weeknights. The creamy sauce is enriched with Velveeta and a variety of cheeses, resulting in a deliciously cheesy, satisfying dish with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 oz. Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes (or 3/4 cup shredded cheese)
Pasta and Meat:
- 1 lb. Ground Beef (85% lean)
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 oz. packet Taco Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Whole milk, at room temperature
- 1 (10 oz.) can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 lb. Medium pasta shells
Instructions
- Shred Cheese: Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and set aside.
- Cook Beef: In a large pot, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease and return to the stove.
- Prepare Sauce: Melt the butter in the same pot, add minced garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, chicken broth, milk, and undrained Rotel tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Add Pasta: Stir in the pasta shells, cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer until pasta is tender, about 12-15 minutes, stirring halfway through to prevent sticking.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Gradually add the shredded cheeses and Velveeta, stirring constantly until the cheeses melt and the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash more milk or broth to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with optional toppings like chopped cilantro or a dollop of sour cream.
Notes
- This dish makes a rich, cheesy sauce; if desired, add more pasta for a lighter meal.
- You can substitute with all beef or all chicken broth depending on your preference.
- Shred the cheese from a block for the best melting results.
- Feel free to customize with add-ins like corn, bell peppers, or black beans for extra flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1⅓ cups)
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
