A cheesy taco pasta dish with taco seasoned ground beef, taco sauce, pasta, corn, and lots of cheese! This meal all comes together in one pot – even the pasta gets cooked in the same pot.
Pair this taco pasta with a big salad like this Italian salad, this Caprese salad, or this panzanella salad.
A couple days ago I shared my obsession with oatmeal cookies, and today I’m sharing an equal obsession with one pan/one pot meals. When a dinner comes together super quick and dirties minimal dishes, it’s a beautiful thing :).
This cheesy taco pasta is inspired by hamburger helper (a staple from my childhood), but made with real ingredients. No fake ingredients in this meal and trust me, there’s a huge difference in taste — for the better of course!
How to make taco pasta
Below is a quick overview of the steps for making this easy pasta dish. The numbers on the photo collages (above and below this text) correlate with the steps listed below.
- Brown the ground beef. Transfer the cooked ground beef to a plate and drain off any fat. You CAN keep the ground beef in and just drain off the fat, but I find it easier to transfer it to a plate 🙂
- Sauté the onion and garlic.
- Taco seasoning: either homemade or store-bought — either will work with this recipe
- Sauté the spices to intensify the flavors.
- Add in the salsa and corn and water.
- Next the UNCOOKED pasta and taco sauce.
- Here’s a great place to add back in that ground beef 🙂 Stir everything together and simmer.
- After it’s simmered, add in some more water and continue to simmer it until pasta is al dente.
- Add in the cheese (add as much as you’d like!) and stir until nice and melted.
- And that’s it — perfectly cheesy seasoned taco pasta. All that’s left is adding the toppings.
Our favorite taco pasta toppings
While this taco pasta is delicious as it, we always like to add in some toppings. Whatever you like on regular tacos will (probably) go great with this dish. Below are our favorites:
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Fresh cherry tomatoes
- Ripe, thinly sliced avocado (or guacamole)
- Fresh diced cilantro or green onions
- Sour cream (low fat or fat free is great)
Quick notes
- Be careful about substituting different kinds of pasta. The macaroni noodles cook quickly and work well in this dish. If you use larger noodles, it may take a bit longer and may require more water/liquid to cook through.
- Make sure to use a nonstick LARGE skillet. There are a lot of ingredients in this taco pasta and it won’t cook properly in a small skillet. The noodles may stick and burn to the bottom if you don’t use a nonstick skillet.
- Add additional water if needed: every stovetop is different and the skillet you’re using is likely different than mine. So check the pasta at the times I’ve indicated, but don’t be afraid to add a little extra water or give the pasta a little extra time to cook through. Just taste a few noodles to see if a little more time is needed (and if the water has evaporated, add a bit more in).
- Taste and adjust seasoning: depending on the taco seasoning you use, you may need to add additional salt or pepper at the end, don’t forget to give the dish a taste and add any additional seasoning as needed.
- Unsure what taco sauce is? Taco sauce is typically added as a topping to tacos, burritos, etc. It is usually found near enchilada sauces, salsas, and green chiles in the grocery store. Here’s a homemade alternative.
Homemade taco seasoning
Here’s my favorite homemade taco seasoning:
- 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
Simply whisk together these seasonings in a small bowl and use in place of the taco seasoning packet in this taco pasta.
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!
A cheesy taco pasta dish with taco seasoned ground beef, taco sauce, pasta, corn, and lots of cheese! This meal comes together all in one pot - even the pasta gets cooked in the same pot.
- 1 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 packet taco seasoning Note 1
- 2 cups water, separated
- 1 cup mild salsa Note 2
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 2 cups (10 ounces) elbow macaroni
- 1 cup mild taco sauce
- 1 and 1/2 to 2 cups Mexican shredded cheese or sharp cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: green onions or cilantro, sour cream, diced tomatoes, diced avocado
BEEF: Brown the ground beef in a large nonstick skillet. Drain the fat (if desired transfer the beef to another plate to drain off the fat). Add in the onion and garlic in the skillet. Stir until fragrant - about 30 seconds to a minute on medium-high heat. Add in the taco seasoning and stir for 30 more seconds.
OTHER INGREDIENTS: Add in one cup of water, salsa, and corn. Stir well and add in the uncooked pasta and taco sauce. (If you removed the beef, add it back in here).
BOIL & SIMMER: Bring mixture to a boil and then lower to low-medium heat and cover the skillet with a lid. Let simmer for about 5-7 minutes and then add in the last cup of water and stir everything together again. Return lid and let simmer until pasta is tender, about another 5-7 minutes.
(If you don't have a nonstick skillet, you will need to stir this every 3-4 minutes so it doesn't stick to the bottom.) If pasta isn't done yet and water has fully evaporated, add an additional 1/4 cup water and continue to cook until pasta is al dente.
ADD TOPPINGS: Remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese. Stir into the pasta until melted. Top taco pasta with optional toppings of choice. We love avocado, sour cream, cherry tomatoes, and fresh cilantro or green onions. Serve immediately.
Recipe Video
Note 1: if you'd rather use a homemade taco seasoning mix, stir together the below seasonings and use in place of the packet:
- 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
Note 2: this dish can end up fairly spicy depending on the salsa and taco sauce used. If you're worried about heat, be sure to taste both before adding into this recipe.
Erin | The Emerging Foodie says
Oh my goodness, this looks so cheesy and gooey and yummy! I love that it’s one pot, too! Mmm. Pinning and making ASAP. Also. It’s still the 28th here in Seattle but your post says March 1st. So you’re posting from the future. Wow. 😉 Have a great weekend!
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you Erin! And thanks for the pin 🙂 Okay that’s so cool haha it must be from time differences or something? But I’ll take the ability to post from the future since that sounds cooler 🙂 Thanks lady! You have a great weekend too and good luck with you running and shin splints!
Katie Clark says
Loved your lasagna skillet, so I can’t wait to try this one, too.
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you so much Katie!
Joanne says
One pot pastas are the best! But they are even BETTER than the best when they involve all this cheesy spiced up taco flavor.
chelseamessyapron says
Haha! Right on! The more cheese the better 🙂
Happy Valley Chow says
Holy cow that look flipping amazing! I shouldn’t be looking at this right now because it is making me soooo hungry. Great recipe 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you Eric!
Gloria // Simply Gloria says
Chelsea, you ROCK! I LOVE cheese, tacos, and pasta! This is perfect for a fast meal during the week. Your step by step pics are awesome!
chelseamessyapron says
Haha thank you Gloria!! You are the best! And I hope you had an awesome birthday!!
Kelly @ The Pretty Bee: Cooking + Creating says
YUM! Perfect comfort food. This looks amazing! I’m pinning for sure!!
chelseamessyapron says
You are great, thanks for the pin Kelly!
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
One skillet – even the pasta?! That’s amazing, Chelsea! This looks so delicious and so cheesy!
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you Cate! 🙂
[email protected] says
I am so making this one!!
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Jenn! I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
This is my kind of dinner, one skillet and less dishes!! I will be making this delicious looking pasta this week! Pinned 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
I hope you enjoy it! Thanks Jenn and thanks for the pin 🙂
Marti says
Yum yum! I love easy, one dish meals! That’s my kind of cooking. This looks delish! 🙂
Marti
chelseamessyapron says
Me too 🙂 Thanks so much Marti!
Marti says
I’m so glad you shared this! My mouth waters every time I see it! Pinned to the party boards! 🙂
Marti
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
I love things where even the pasta cooks in the same pot – my kind of weeknight cooking! This sounds delicious, I love taco flavours.
chelseamessyapron says
It’s one of my favorite kinds of meals to make! Thanks Anna 🙂
[email protected] says
Oh man. This is the exact kind of meal my kids and I love during the week! I love your step by step instructions. Thanks Chelsea! 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
Haha it’s one of my husband’s new favorites! Thanks so much Renee! 🙂
Jill says
This looks great! Any suggestions as to what I can substitute for the 1 cup of taco sauce?
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Jill! You could do some extra salsa! Or if you are interested, you could make a homemade taco sauce pretty easily. Here’s a link to one: http://www.lynnskitchenadventures.com/2009/11/homemade-taco-sauce.html
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
There is nothing better then one skillet meals! This taco pasta looks delicious! please pass a bowl 😀
chelseamessyapron says
Haha! Thanks Layla! 🙂
CakePants says
Sounds like a winner – tasty, easy clean-up, and uses things we normally have on hand? Thanks for figuring out dinner at chez CakePants later this week!
Kelly says
This looks incredible Chelsea – love all these one skillet/pot meals – less mess is always a good thing 🙂 This cheesy taco pasta sounds like the perfect weeknight meal that my family would love!
Lynna says
Um, yes, yes. I would LOVE this for dinner!! Plus, one skillet? It`s a win.
Beth @ The First Year Blog says
Wowza friend! I love one pan dinners too! And I am pretty sure we have the same blue bowl!
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} says
This looks awesome! I love one pot meals too, and it’s great to add another one like this to my recipe box! I can’t wait to try it! Pinned:)
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Shannon! Thanks for the pin 🙂
Cheryl says
Looks scrumptious! I made something very similar for my family and some friends and it was a real hit! Thanks for sharing on Recipe Sharing Mondays! HUGS
Jennifer Johnson says
I want this now!!
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
OMGosh totally drooling over my keyboard on this one. Love that it’s all cooked in one skillet too. Thanks for sharing at Simple Supper Tuesday.
Made From Pinterest says
This looks super good! I haven’t eaten macaroni forever, man this makes me so hungry!
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy says
Holy COW Chelsea!!!! This looks CRAZY GOOD!!! I love me a good one pot dinner! I am SO trying this! My boys are going to love it!
chelseamessyapron says
Thank you so much Jen!! 🙂
Heather says
I rely a lot on peoples comments on recipes. To many times I thought it looked awesome only to be really disappointed. So many people said this recipe looked good and they couldn’t wait to try it but no positive on actually eating it. I am so glad I made this, it is AWESOME( quote from my 8 yr picky eater). Rave reviews from this family of 4. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe Chelsea, definitely a keeper:)
chelseamessyapron says
Heather, thank you so much for your sweet comment and for trying out the recipe! This made my day! I hope you and your family are having a wonderful weekend 🙂
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
Just wanted to let you know that your Taco Pasta is being featured at Simple Supper Tuesday this week.
http://www.hunwhatsfordinner.com/2014/03/simple-supper-tuesday-54_10.html
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks so much for the feature Ali!
Karin says
I LOVE this recipe! I added about a half of a can of black beans, just to up the fiber content and my family LOVED it! And we have a ton of leftovers. YUM YUM YUM!
chelseamessyapron says
YAY!! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!! Thanks so much Karin 🙂
Stephanie R says
I saw this last night for the first time on FoodGawker…instantly went home 20 mins later and made this, considering I had all the ingredients already at home…my oh my was this fantastic!!
Served it to my brother, his gf, my bf and me, and it did not last! haha!
I did substitute meat for Saitan meat considering im vegetarian, but wow, was it good! Not too hot, but just enough spice.
Will def make again!!
Robin says
This is absolutely delish. I made it tonite for the first time. It is a make again for sure! Thanks for sharing and great job creating it!!!
Kaley D says
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!
chelseamessyapron says
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!
Sarah C says
This is a winner! Everyone in the family loved it!
Brandon says
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.
Lisa Y says
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!
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks Lisa! I just used a store-bought salsa 🙂 You can choose your own heat preference – I use medium when I make this dish!
Jackie says
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!!
chelseamessyapron says
This comment made my day!! Thanks so much for taking the time – I’m so glad you really enjoyed it 🙂
Makenzie says
This recipe was a HUGE hit at my house! When we have it we call it Tacoroni!
chelseamessyapron says
LOVE the name!! Thanks so much for leaving a review 🙂
Beth says
What exactly is taco sauce?
chelseamessyapron says
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!
Patricia says
Found this on pinterest, made it tonight with whole wheat noodles and it was Delicious! We all had a second helping!
Lori says
do you cook the pasta first in the taco pasta. It looks great!
chelseamessyapron says
The pasta gets cooked in the skillet with the other ingredients – no need to cook it beforehand.
sarah says
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.
chelseamessyapron says
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!
Rachel says
Sometimes there is no better feeling than making something new for dinner and your kid actually likes it!!! It was so easy and yummy, thank you!!
chelseamessyapron says
Yay! SO glad to hear it!! Thanks so much for the comment 🙂
Jenni says
Was looking for something easy to make for dinner tonight that wasn’t just the usual tacos. This was a hit!! Easy recipe and tastes delicious! 🙂 I didn’t have taco sauce so I just added more salsa and it seems to have worked well! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, Chelsea!
chelseamessyapron says
Awesome!!! So happy to hear it 🙂 And yes, salsa sounds like a great substitute! Thank you so much for the comment and review Jenni! 🙂
Stephanie Martin says
Hi Chelsea and everyone. I was so busy today that I didn’t give a thought to supper…when it dawned on me I kinda panicked but this recipe saved the day. I had to make some tweaks out of necessity but it still was so wonderful. I didn’t have taco sauce so I subbed in chili sauce, only had a half packet of taco seasoning, half the corn…added siracha. Oh boy this is going to go into the winter comfort food rotation. Very delicious…thank you for sharing this.
chelseamessyapron says
YAY!! So happy to hear it makes the dinner rotations 🙂 I’m so glad you were able to make it work with what you had and get dinner ready even with a super busy day — that’s awesome!
Trinity says
I made this last night on a whim, we were not disappointed! Yummm! Will make this again. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
chelseamessyapron says
Oh that is so great to hear! So happy you enjoyed this! 🙂
Cara says
I was looking for something quick and different for dinner tonight, and this recipe did not disappoint! I added some diced red bell pepper to up the veggie factor, but that was the only change. The family loved it!
chelseamessyapron says
That is so great to hear! And YUM on that red bell pepper! 🙂 Thank you Cara!
Chris says
Just made this. It was fantastic. This is certainly a keeper for sure. Thanks Chelsea for the great recipes 😉
chelseamessyapron says
Thanks so much for trying them out and leaving a comment, I appreciate it! 🙂 So glad you enjoyed this! 🙂
Emily says
Made this for dinner tonight and loved it!! Really easy to make and super delicious!!! Only note- it takes longer than 15 minutes… I’d say a little over 1/2 an hour start to finish. E
chelseamessyapron says
So happy to hear that this was enjoyed! Thank you Emily for the review 🙂
Lisa L says
Holy yummy! Used ground turkey because it’s what I had in the fridge. I’m not a huge fan of taco sauce so that scared me a bit but it was awesome. Totally. Will be making Again. and again! My toddler ate two helpings!! This is better than spaghetti. Used rotini noodles. May add black beans next time. Love!!
chelseamessyapron says
Yay! That is so great to hear this dish was so well enjoyed in your home! Thank you so much for the comment Lisa!
Tara says
I don’t keep frozen vegetables on hand, could I substitute a can of corn instead?
chelseamessyapron says
Sure! 🙂 Just use the same amount!
Melanie says
Made this tonight. My 7 year old and 2 year old who are picky eaters downed it all! Loved it too with a beer on the side 😉 Thanks you so much for this quick, easy, yummy recipe, and especially the easy clean up!!
chelseamessyapron says
I’m so thrilled to hear this was a hit with everyone!! Thanks so much for the comment Melanie 🙂
Julie Locke says
I found this recipe on Pinterest, and usually I don’t have luck with Pinterest recipes, but this came out pretty damn good. Boyfriend loved it and he’s a picky eater, we both had seconds. I followed the recipe exactly as written and have enough left-overs for another meal for the two of us. Can this be frozen for another day?
chelseamessyapron says
I’m so happy you enjoyed this dish! I’ve never tried freezing it, so I can’t say for sure, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Wish I could be of more help!
Liz says
Oh. My. Gosh!!! This was the first meal in a very long time I went back for seconds! Thank you for a delicious, quick dinner! Side note: vegetarian Boca meat and water instead of taco sauce is still unbelievably delicious. ?
chelseamessyapron says
LOVE hearing this! Thank you so much for your comment Liz 🙂
Morgan says
Been making this for about a year. I have this page bookmarked on my phone for every time I make it. My fiancé loves it. We call it taco mac. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
chelseamessyapron says
I love hearing that! Thanks so much for the comment Morgan 🙂
Kim says
I make this all the time. Found it last year and it’s been a favourite in our house. Tonight I’m trying it with chicken as I had some leftover. Can’t wait for dinner.
chelseamessyapron says
So happy to hear that!! Thanks for the comment Kim 🙂
Suzanne says
I have made this several times, this last time with venison. It is absolutely delicious and the fewer pots I have to dirty the better! Thank you!!!
chelseamessyapron says
So happy to hear it!! Thanks so much for the comment Suzanne 🙂
Jackson lenon says
Hey! I would love to thank you for this wonderful recipe. Thank you so much , I will try it with my daughter. My daughter loves you and we always follow you thanks
Chelsea Lords says
Thanks so much Jackson! 🙂 So happy to hear that; it makes my day!
Robyn says
I’ve made this over and over and over again! It’s my go to easy meal for when I just do not feel like cooking or doing dishes. Freezes well to reheat for lunches later on and I always 1.5x the recipe so I have lots of it – and because normally when I freeze my ground beef I freeze more than a pound together, so I don’t have to figure out what to do with the ground beef. I do find I have to add a little more water to the pan to cook the noodles but otherwise the recipe is perfect. One of the best skillets!
Chelsea Lords says
Ahhh I am seriously sooo happy to hear this!! Thanks for the tips on freezing and recommendations! And thanks for your kind comment! 🙂
Deb says
At first glance, I did think it was hamburger helper. But then I thought, no it looks too good to be that! I love one pan meals, they are a close second to slow cooker recipes.
Chelsea Lords says
Haha!! Thanks Deb; hope you love this 🙂
Samantha Hickey says
This was super easy to make and my whole family loved it! It’s full of flavor and very satisfying. So many online recipes are either too complicated or too bland. This is definitely going to be a weeknight meal staple in my house. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes!
Chelsea Lords says
Yay! So thrilled to hear that! Thanks so much for leaving a comment and review 🙂 Hope you love whatever you try next!
Radamantis says
I’m sure this is super tasty, but please please please don’t call it taco, this has nothing to do with tacos. The whole taco idea is around a tortilla with food inside