Beef Taco Pasta Skillet (Printable View)

A savory skillet combining seasoned beef, pasta, and melted cheese with Tex-Mex spices for family comfort.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

04 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning or 2½ tbsp homemade taco seasoning
05 - ½ tsp salt, adjust to taste
06 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Pasta & Liquids

07 - 8 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
09 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

→ Dairy

10 - 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
11 - ½ cup sour cream (optional for serving)

→ Garnishes (Optional)

12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
13 - 1 jalapeño, sliced
14 - 1 avocado, diced

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.
03 - Sprinkle taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over the beef mixture. Stir well to combine all seasonings thoroughly.
04 - Incorporate the uncooked pasta, beef broth, and diced tomatoes including their juice. Stir to combine and bring to a rolling boil.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Evenly sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the surface. Cover and let rest for 2–3 minutes until cheese melts.
07 - Serve hot, topped with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeño, diced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying the meal.
  • It's ready in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you're too tired to overthink dinner.
  • The combination of seasoned beef, melted cheese, and tender pasta tastes indulgent without requiring any special skills.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the pasta water from the tomatoes; that liquid is part of what keeps the dish cohesive and prevents the pasta from drying out as it finishes cooking.
  • If your skillet doesn't have a lid, even a baking sheet or aluminum foil works in a pinch; you need that cover to trap steam so the pasta finishes cooking evenly.
  • Taste the dish before serving and adjust the salt—canned tomatoes and beef broth vary, so you might need a little more seasoning than you expect.
03 -
  • Brown the beef properly before moving on; those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan are pure flavor gold.
  • Add your garnishes generously and let people customize their own bowl—it transforms a simple dinner into something everyone feels ownership over.
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