Ultimate One-Skillet Beef Taco Pasta: Your New Go-To Weeknight Meal
Imagine your favorite taco flavors, but in a creamy, savory pasta dish – all cooked in a single skillet! This One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta is a culinary dream come true for busy weeknights. It masterfully blends juicy ground beef, vibrant salsa, zesty taco seasoning, fresh diced tomatoes, and sweet corn with perfectly cooked pasta, culminating in a cheesy, hearty meal that the entire family will adore. Forget the piles of dishes; this recipe is as effortless to clean up as it is to prepare, making it an instant classic in any home.
Why One-Skillet Meals are a Game-Changer for Busy Families
In today’s fast-paced world, finding meals that are both delicious and don’t require an endless amount of pots and pans is like striking gold. That’s precisely why one-skillet pasta meals have become my go-to solution for dinner dilemmas. The sheer convenience of tossing all your ingredients into a single pan, letting them simmer to perfection, and ending up with a complete, satisfying meal is unparalleled. The biggest bonus? A minimal amount of washing up, which, for anyone in charge of kitchen duty, is truly the icing on the cake. This approach not only saves time but also reduces stress, allowing you to enjoy more moments around the dinner table with your loved ones.
Today’s One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta perfectly encapsulates this philosophy. It takes the beloved, bold flavors of your favorite tacos and ingeniously marries them with comforting pasta. Topped generously with melted cheese and a medley of your preferred garnishes, this dish transcends the ordinary, transforming a simple concept into an extraordinary dining experience. It’s a testament to how smart cooking can simplify life without sacrificing flavor or nutrition.
The Secret Ingredient: Quality Ground Beef for Unmatched Flavor
The foundation of this incredibly flavorful meal lies in the quality of its star ingredient: the juicy, succulent ground beef. For a truly mouth-watering dish that captures the essence of robust flavor, I consistently choose Certified Angus Beef® brand ground beef. When combined with the aromatic taco seasoning and the zesty kick of salsa, it creates a rich and savory base that permeates every strand of pasta, delivering a dish the entire family will undoubtedly fall in love with.
You’ve likely noticed the Certified Angus Beef ® brand in your local grocery stores or on restaurant menus. There’s a good reason for its widespread presence and reputation. When it comes to beef, quality isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a measurable standard. This is precisely why I make it a point to seek out the Certified Angus Beef ® brand. Many consumers aren’t aware that every single cut of Certified Angus Beef ® brand beef undergoes a rigorous evaluation against 10 exacting quality standards. These standards are what guarantee a consistently superior eating experience, ensuring every bite is as flavorful, tender, and juicy as the last. No other beef brand offers such unwavering consistency in quality.
My appreciation for this brand deepened significantly a few years ago when I had the incredible opportunity to visit Kansas and learn more about the Certified Angus Beef ® brand firsthand. Meeting the dedicated ranchers, witnessing their profound passion, and seeing the meticulous care they devote to their cattle and the products they deliver was truly an eye-opening experience. It reinforced my belief that choosing quality ingredients like Certified Angus Beef® not only enhances the taste of a dish but also supports a commitment to excellence from farm to table. This commitment to superior beef is what makes this One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta truly shine.
Customizing Your Taco Pasta: Endless Possibilities
Beyond being a quick and satisfying dinner, this One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta is wonderfully versatile. If you’re someone who appreciates having leftovers for another meal or for easy lunches throughout the week, this recipe delivers generously. The substantial serving size ensures you’ll likely have enough to enjoy again, making meal prep a breeze.
But the customization options truly set this dish apart. Feel free to unleash your creativity and enhance the nutritional value and flavor profile. Want more veggies? Bell peppers (any color!), mild poblano peppers, or even a handful of spinach stirred in at the end would be excellent additions. You can also experiment with different types of salsa – a tangy salsa verde for a brighter flavor, or a hearty black bean and corn salsa for added texture and sweetness. If you’re looking to further bulk up the dish and add a plant-based protein boost, simply stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans or pinto beans. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing you to adapt the recipe to your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.
In my experience, whenever I prepare this Beef Taco Pasta, my kids are always eager for second helpings, which is the ultimate seal of approval! To make it a complete and wholesome meal, I often serve it alongside a warm, fluffy cornbread and these vibrant Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans. The combination offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures that satisfies everyone at the table.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta
Saved
Pin
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 sweet onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound Certified Angus Beef ground beef
- 2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 can corn, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups beef broth , {or broth of your choice}
- 8 ounces pasta , {small to medium pastas like elbow, rotini, or shells work best}
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- Cherry tomatoes, cut in half, for garnish
- Red onion, diced, for garnish
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, to garnish
- Green onions, chopped, to garnish
- Sour cream, to garnish
- Extra cheese, shredded, to garnish
Instructions
-
In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the 2 Tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped sweet onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 2 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
-
Add the Certified Angus Beef ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the beef with a large spoon, until it is thoroughly browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
-
Stir in the taco seasoning, salsa, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (undrained), drained and rinsed corn, beef broth, and the uncooked pasta. Mix everything well to ensure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid.
-
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente (cooked through but still firm to the bite) and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
-
Remove the lid and add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir gently to combine the cheese into the pasta mixture until it begins to melt and create a creamy sauce.
-
Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit, uncovered, for 1 to 2 minutes. This allows the remaining cheese to fully melt and the sauce to thicken slightly.
-
Serve the One Skillet Beef Taco Pasta hot in bowls. Garnish generously with your favorite toppings such as fresh cherry tomatoes (halved), diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and a dollop of cool sour cream. A sprinkle of extra shredded cheese is always a welcome addition!
Notes
- Feel free to use regular diced tomatoes instead of the fire roasted tomatoes if you prefer a milder flavor, or if fire-roasted are not available.
- When it comes to the pasta, while you can use various shapes, I find that small to medium pastas like elbow macaroni, rotini, or small shells work best as they cook evenly and integrate well with the sauce.
- I like to use sharp cheddar cheese for its robust flavor, but you can also use a mixture of your favorite cheeses – pepper jack adds a delightful little kick of spice, while a Mexican blend offers a classic taco experience.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post is sponsored by the Certified Angus Beef ® brand in conjunction with a social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. As always, all opinions are my own.