If you’re looking for a super quick, easy, and totally family-friendly dinner, this Cheesy Taco Beef Pasta is my go-to. It’s one pot, full of flavor, and the kind of meal where everyone asks for seconds.
Plus, it comes together in about 30 minutes, which is perfect for busy weeknights.
🛒 Ingredients
- Ground beef – The star of the show! You can swap in turkey or chicken if you want a leaner version.
- Taco seasoning – Brings all the Mexican vibes. Homemade or store-bought both work.
- Pasta – Medium shells are my fave because they trap all that cheesy, saucy goodness. Macaroni or rotini works too.
- Black beans – Adds protein and makes it a little heartier. Kidney or pinto beans work in a pinch.
- Cheddar cheese – Melty, gooey, cheesy perfection. Pepper jack is fun if you want a little kick.
- Corn – Sweetness in every bite! Frozen or canned is fine, just drain if canned.
- If you love quick weeknight dinners, try cabbage and beans dinner skillet, mediterranean zucchini stew or pan fried chicken thighs next for more family-friendly meals.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥘 How To Make Cheesy Taco Beef Pasta
- Place the beef in the pan: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook it until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat so the sauce stays nice and creamy.
- Add the seasonings: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until everything smells amazing and fragrant.
- Add the pasta and mix-ins: Stir in the uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes (or salsa), black beans, corn, chicken broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Give it a good stir so everything is evenly mixed.
- Simmer until pasta is tender: Bring the pan to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Cook 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom. Add a splash more broth if it looks dry.
- Add the cheese: Once the pasta is tender, stir in the cheddar cheese until it’s melted and creamy.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Serve warm with your favorite toppings like sour cream, salsa, or green onions.
Rita's Tip
Make sure to stir often while simmering so the pasta cooks evenly and doesn’t stick.
📋 Tips
- Don’t overcook the pasta, it should be tender but still a little bite.
- Brown the beef well for extra flavor, it really makes a difference.
- Draining the beef fat keeps the sauce from getting too greasy.
- Taco seasoning is flexible, add more or less depending on your spice tolerance.
- Frozen corn is a lifesaver, no need to thaw before tossing in.
- Cheese goes in last for that melty, creamy magic.
- Use salsa instead of canned tomatoes for a little extra kick.
- Optional toppings like sour cream or cilantro make it feel extra special without extra effort.
🍱 Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- 🔥To Reheat. Warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed, or microwave until heated through.
What To Serve With Cheesy Taco Beef Pasta
More Taco Recipes You'll Like
📖Recipe
Cheesy Taco Beef Pasta
Quick, easy, and healthy, this Cheesy Taco Beef Pasta is a family-friendly Mexican-inspired dinner with ground beef, beans, and gooey cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta, such as medium shells, macaroni, or rotini
- 1 15- ounce can canned diced tomatoes, don't drain or 1 cup salsa picante
- 1 15- ounce can canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ - 1 teaspoon chili powder, optional
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional toppings
- sour cream
- salsa
- green onions
- cilantro
- jalapenos
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Place the beef in the pan: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat so the sauce doesn’t get greasy.1 pound ground beef, 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
- Add the seasonings: Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.2 tablespoons taco seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Add the pasta and mix-ins: Stir in the uncooked pasta, diced tomatoes (or salsa), black beans, corn, chicken broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well so everything is combined.8 ounces uncooked pasta, 1 15- ounce can canned diced tomatoes, 1 15- ounce can canned black beans, 1 cup corn, 2 ¼ cups chicken broth, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Simmer until pasta is tender: Bring the pan to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick. Add more broth if it looks dry.
- Add the cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.1 cup cheddar cheese
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with toppings of choice like sour cream, salsa, green onions, cilantro, or jalapeños.½ teaspoon salt or more to taste, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, sour cream, salsa, green onions, cilantro, jalapenos
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 29gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 1226mgPotassium: 812mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 570IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 5mg
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