Description
A bold and creamy fusion of taco flavors and cheesy pasta, this one-pot Cheesy Queso Taco Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Loaded with seasoned ground beef, queso sauce, and tender pasta — it’s quick, hearty, and family-approved.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
- 8 oz dry pasta (e.g., shells or rotini)
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (e.g., Rotel), undrained
- 1 cup jarred queso cheese sauce (or homemade)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, jalapeños
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot, cook ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until beef is browned and onion is soft. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add minced garlic and taco seasoning. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in dry pasta, beef broth, and diced tomatoes with their juices.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in queso sauce and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until melted and creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let rest for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, cilantro, or jalapeños.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken as a lighter alternative to beef.
- Make it spicier by adding cayenne pepper or hot salsa.
- Great for leftovers — store in fridge up to 3 days and reheat with a splash of broth.
- Can be made dairy-free using vegan queso and cheese alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: queso taco pasta, cheesy taco pasta, one pot pasta, tex-mex pasta, creamy taco dinner