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Cozy One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe Easy Ground Beef Dinner

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A quick and satisfying one-pot cheesy taco pasta with ground beef and black beans, perfect for busy weeknights. This dish combines bold taco flavors with creamy cheese and hearty ingredients for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 8 oz (225 g) medium pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 2 ½ cups (600 ml) beef broth
  • 1 can (10 oz / 280 g) diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
  • 1 ½ cups (170 g) shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish
  • Optional: jalapeño slices or hot sauce for extra heat
  • Optional: sour cream for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven.
  2. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink and starting to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary but leave a bit for flavor.
  3. Add 1 diced medium onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons taco seasoning evenly over the beef mixture. Stir well and let the spices toast for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Pour in 2 ½ cups beef broth, 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained), and 8 oz uncooked pasta. Stir to combine.
  6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, about 12-15 minutes. Add more broth or water if needed.
  7. Fold in 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup milk. Stir gently over low heat until cheese melts and sauce is creamy, about 3-5 minutes.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add jalapeño slices or hot sauce if desired.
  9. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream if desired.

Notes

Brown the beef well for depth of flavor. Use small pasta shapes like macaroni or shells to hold sauce better. Stir pasta gently and regularly to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if liquid evaporates too fast. Use sharp cheddar cheese for best melting. Rinse black beans to avoid grainy texture. Leftovers reheat well with a splash of broth or milk. For gluten-free, swap pasta with gluten-free noodles. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese and coconut milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, cheesy taco pasta, ground beef, black beans, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, taco pasta

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/cozy-one-pot-cheesy-taco-pasta-recipe-easy-ground-beef-dinner/