Creamy Taco Pasta with Ground Beef Recipe
This creamy 30-minute ground beef taco pasta recipe is cheesy, hearty, comforting , and makes a fantastic family dinner idea! Made with ground taco beef, cheeses, spices, fresh chopped Vegetables, all tossed in tender cooked pasta.
An easy & quick dinner idea that gets to the table fast. This recipe is perfect for a week night dinners. See our step-by-step photos below to make this 30 minute taco pasta along with us today.
Want more easy pasta recipes? Try our cottage cheese alfredo sauce, dairy-free chorizo pasta, and our favorite spinach artichoke alfredo pasta.
We love a hearty and delicious one-pot pasta. That is great to make any night of the week! This pasta has all the flavors of delicious taco dip tossed with tender pasta and topped with green onions and herbs.
This makes a fantastic meal prep recipe that you can cook once and enjoy for dinners throughout the week.
Why This Beef Taco Pasta Recipe Works
- This easy taco pasta is velvety, creamy, delicious and makes a great dinner idea the whole family will love.
- It’s loaded with great Taco flavor in each bite.
- A fun twist on traditional pasta by using all the best flavors of taco dip.
- This recipe is versatile. See our additions or substitutes below and add in your favorite ingredients!
- Cooks of any skill level can successfully make this pasta by following along with our step-by-step photos below.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!
The base of this recipe is tender cooked pasta. We used shells but you can use any small or medium shaped pasta – see our serving suggestions below.
For protein we use ground beef mixed with taco seasoning as the base of this sauce. We also have stir the ground beef into cream cheese so you get a rich and velvety sauce in every bite.
For toppings we like chopped green onions, jalapeno, and cilantro. But feel free to add your favorite taco toppings as well.
Additions and Substitutions
For the pasta, any any medium shaped pasta works! Try making this with penne, rotini, or even macaroni for a fun family favorite.
Want more protein? You can add canned beans to this recipe to make it even hardier. Black beans, kidney beans or pinto beans are all great options.
Like spice? A half a cup of salsa or a few splashes of your favorite hot sauce to up the heat.
Try making this recipe with ground turkey or ground chicken instead of the beef . Or you can make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the ground beef or using a plant-based substitute.
How To Make This Ground Beef Taco Pasta Recipe
Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the sliced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook the meat until browned, breaking the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Drain and discard any excess grease.
Step 3: Stir in half of the diced tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Add the cream cheese and beef broth. Stir well until the cream cheese melts and forms a smooth thick sauce.
Step 5: Cook the pasta according to package directions, and then drain. Add the hot pasta to the skillet along with the shredded cheddar cheese and toss until creamy and well combined.
Step 6: Top the pasta with the remaining fresh tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, and sliced jalapeno peppers, if using. Serve warm.
Recipe FAQs
Our creamy taco pasta is made with tender, cooked and noodles tossed with delicious ground beef, salsa, and cream cheese sauce topped with your favorite fresh chopped vegetables!
Store any leftover taco pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
This pasta is best fresh, however, if you wanted to freeze it, you could make just the sauce and freeze that in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy taco pasta is fantastic served alongside an antipasto chopped salad, copycat CPK Thai crunch salad, or our favorite old fashioned cucumber and onion salad.
You could serve it in a large taco salad shell for added flavor and fun.
Serve it cold on a bed of greens for taco pasta salad!
Expert Tips
- Make sure to thoroughly mix the cream cheese into the ground beef for the pasta sauce so it has the creamiest texture.
- Save the extra cooking water from the pasta which will help thicken the sauce.
- If the sauce is still too thick, you can stir in a few tablespoons of milk or water into the pasta until you reach your desired consistency.
More Modern Pasta Recipes
- Creamy Jerk Chicken Pasta Recipe (Bahama Breeze Copycat)
- Elk Bolognese Pasta Recipe
- Goat Cheese Pesto Pasta Recipe
- Chicken Pasta with Vodka Sauce Recipe
- Ranch BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
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Creamy Taco Pasta with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta I used medium shells
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 sweet onion thinly sliced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 large tomatoes diced
- 1 cup frozen corn or canned
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2/3 cup beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 jalapeno sliced, optional
Method
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the sliced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions. Cook the meat until browned, breaking the beef into crumbles as it cooks. Drain and discard any excess grease.
- Stir in half of the diced tomatoes, corn, and taco seasoning. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is well combined.
- Add the cream cheese and beef broth. Stir well until the cream cheese melts and forms a smooth thick sauce.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions, and then drain. Add the hot pasta to the skillet along with the shredded cheddar cheese and toss until creamy and well combined.
- Top the pasta with the remaining fresh tomatoes, cilantro, green onions, and sliced jalapeno peppers, if using. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
Serving Suggestions
This creamy taco pasta is fantastic served alongside an antipasto chopped salad, copycat CPK Thai crunch salad, or our favorite old fashioned cucumber and onion salad. You could serve it in a large taco salad shell for added flavor and fun. Serve it cold on a bed of greens for taco pasta salad! Expert Tips- Make sure to thoroughly mix the cream cheese into the ground beef for the pasta sauce so it has the creamiest texture.
- Save the extra cooking water from the pasta which will help thicken the sauce.
- If the sauce is still too thick, you can stir in a few tablespoons of milk or water into the pasta until you reach your desired consistency.
Private Notes
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