This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Taco Pasta is a one-pot cheesy and creamy weeknight dinner ready in only 35 minutes from start to finish. It’s always a crowd-pleasing dish, especially with the kids because it’s basically like cheesy hamburger helper but so much better!
If you’re a fan of Mexican and Mexican-inspired meals then you’re going to love today’s Taco Pasta recipe! Made with pasta shells, taco-seasoned ground beef, light cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese, this dish is like that cheesy hamburger helper I loved as a kid but so much better and healthier!
Kids love how cheesy and creamy it is, adults love the lean protein from the ground beef and everyone loves the pasta shells.
And the best part? From start to finish, this taco pasta takes only 35 minutes to make!
The secret is in the combination of the taco seasoning and the cream cheese. It makes every bite feel very decadent without being overly creamy. It’s creamy, cheesy and savory in the best way possible that keeps everyone coming back for one more bite.
This recipe is absolutely delicious and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Tips and Substitutions
- This recipe uses a homemade taco seasoning mix, but if you’re short on time or don’t have all the spices that it calls for, you can use 1 packet of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning instead.
- Instead of ground beef, you can use ground turkey, ground chicken, or your favorite plant-based substitute if you prefer.
- To sneak in some extra veggies, add in 2 cups of kale or spinach when adding in the diced tomatoes.
More Easy Dinners
Taco Pasta
Ingredients
For the homemade taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
For the pasta
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ medium white onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 cups broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 8 ounces medium pasta shells
- 4 ounces light cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the taco seasoning in a small bowl and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and ground beef. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the beef is cooked through.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, drained diced tomatoes, broth, milk, and pasta shells.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8 minutes until the pasta is al dente.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Gently stir everything together until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.
Notes
- Taco seasoning: You can substitute the homemade taco seasoning with 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning if you prefer.
- To sneak in some extra veggies, add 2 cups of kale or spinach when adding the diced tomatoes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
5 stars but the site isn’t allowing it. This is delicious and quick. I used a can of mild rotel because it’s what I had on hand.
It was great tasting and easy to make!
This was delicious! I made it vegetarian with Gardein ground be’f and used barilla lentil pasta, its still great! I need more plant based stuff in my diet, so sneaking those ingredients into this recipe was unrecognizable from the regular stuff since this sauce is so flavorful.
Can this recipe be made ahead and frozen?
Hi Bex! Yes it can!
My husband and I throughly enjoyed this pasta dish. Made the homemade seasoning and it is truly outstanding. I can’t imagine anyone that would not enjoy this dish. Thanks again for a great recipe!
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of diced tomatoes, are you using a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies i.e rotel or just regular diced tomatoes? Thanks in advance for the answer. Looking forward to making it this week.
Hi! Isabel used a can of regular diced tomatoes for this recipe. Hope you enjoy!
Tasted great! Will make again. Really liked the homemade taco seasoning , much better than store bought.
Delicious and easy to make! My kids devoured it.