One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Love tacos but want pasta? This One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta is the best of both worlds! After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s better than takeout. The melty cheese and crispy taco bits make this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Creamy Rhubarb Bars with Cream Cheese and Better Than Takeout Egg Roll in a Bowl.
Why This One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout taste at home
- Easy one pot cleanup
- Creamy cheese sauce that's irresistible
- Customizable with your favorite taco toppings
What You'll Need for One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- ground beef
- elbow macaroni
- taco seasoning
- diced tomatoes
- chicken broth
- shredded cheese
- taco seasoning
- cumin
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Optional: sour cream
- Optional: guacamole
- Optional: salsa
- Optional: green onions
- Optional: crushed tortilla chips
📝 Ingredient Notes
- ground beef: You can substitute ground turkey or chicken.
- elbow macaroni: Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta can be used.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking. → See on Amazon
- Box grater — Makes shredding cheese quick and easy. → See on Amazon
How to Make One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook ground beef in a large pot until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add onion, garlic, and taco seasoning. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until pasta is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta. It will continue to cook in the sauce. If it's too soft, add a little more broth and cook uncovered.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Pro tip: Make it vegetarian by using black beans and corn instead of ground beef.
Storing & Reheating One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the taco meat and sauce up to 2 days ahead.
Freezing One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamier sauce, stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese or sour cream.
- Best substitution: Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta al dente and mix it with the sauce just before serving to prevent it from becoming too soft.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant-read thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked pasta every time. → Check price on Amazon
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- ground beef
- elbow macaroni
- taco seasoning
- diced tomatoes
- chicken broth
- shredded cheese
Seasonings
- taco seasoning
- cumin
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- onion powder
Optional Toppings
- sour cream
- guacamole
- salsa
- green onions
- crushed tortilla chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook ground beef in a large pot until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add onion, garlic, and taco seasoning. Cook until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Step 4: Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until pasta is cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 5: Stir in shredded cheese until melted and creamy. Serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a creamier sauce, stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese or sour cream.
- Best substitution: Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
- Make-ahead: Cook the pasta al dente and mix it with the sauce just before serving to prevent it from becoming too soft.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little more broth or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the taco meat and sauce up to 2 days ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 550
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the taco meat and sauce up to 2 days ahead. Cook the pasta separately and mix everything just before serving.
You may have overcooked the pasta or not added enough liquid. To fix, add a little more broth or milk and cook uncovered until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Yes, combine all ingredients except the cheese in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. Stir in the cheese during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
While you can't cook the pasta in the air fryer, you can cook the taco meat and then mix it with cooked pasta and sauce in the air fryer for a crispy top.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
