Beef Taco Pasta Skillet (Print)

A comforting skillet dish with seasoned ground beef, pasta, and melted cheese for family meals.

# Components:

→ 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 it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Sprinkle taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
04 - Add uncooked pasta, beef broth, and diced tomatoes with their juice to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove skillet from heat, sprinkle shredded cheddar evenly on top. Cover and let rest for 2–3 minutes until cheese melts.
07 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, jalapeño slices, diced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means one dish to wash and actual time to relax after dinner.
  • The pasta absorbs all those seasoned, tomatoey flavors so every bite tastes intentional, not just assembled.
  • It fills the house with that warm, comforting smell that makes people ask what's for dinner before they even sit down.
02 -
  • Don't drain the canned tomatoes—that liquid is part of what keeps the pasta from turning into mush and adds depth to every bite.
  • Cheese added while the skillet is still slightly warm will melt faster and more evenly than if you let everything cool first.
03 -
  • Taste as you cook and adjust salt and spice at the end, not the beginning, so you don't accidentally overseasoned a whole batch.
  • Keep the heat at medium-low during the simmer so the pasta softens evenly without the bottom burning before the top is done.
Back