Ground Beef One Pot Taco Pasta

This one pot taco pasta is always a dinner hit in our house. Years ago I created Instant Pot taco casserole which we loved but I don’t always want to use my pressure cooker. I like to make it on the stove top too so I thought I would share my step by step for that with you too.

Taco Pasta with Ground Beef

This is How Long to Cook Ground Beef in case you want to do it in the oven instead to begin with. This time a skillet is your best bet. Cast iron is a fave but it needs high sides if you are warming everything together for a meal. Crushed nacho cheese chips are fun to serve on top but optional of course.

Similar to our Instant Pot Dorito casserole except we use bottled salad dressing as the sauce to give this one a bit more of a kick. If you want heat we will share options for that as well including using ground sausage instead of beef and other tweaks depending on your tastebuds.

Leftover Taco Meat Pasta

This is one of the best leftover taco meat recipes we have and make often. Cuts down on the cook time since the protein is already precooked. Just prep the rest and mix to enjoy.

One Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

This is How to Cook Ground Beef in Oven if you want to do that and prepare the other items while that is being browned in that way. I only do that if I am serving it as a cold side dish. I’ve brought this to a friend’s house as something new and it was a hit! Best thing in that case is to leave the chips on the side so they don’t get soggy.

• 1 lb ground beef or spicy ground sausage for spicy
• 1 packet or homemade taco seasoning 1.25 oz
• 3/4 c beef broth, chicken broth or water
• 16 oz cooked pasta, boiled separately and drained
• 1 c French dressing or Italian
• Container cherry tomatoes – quartered or halved
• 1 can black beans 15 oz, drained and rinsed
• 6 oz olives
• 1-2 c shredded cheese, more or less depending on preference
• 2 c chips crushed Doritos were used

Like I said, there are many other diced items you could add into the mix as well if you wanted to amp this pasta dish up. Your family will love bell peppers diced inside perhaps. If you wanted it creamier you can add tomato sauce or we love sour cream at the end to make more like a loaded Ground Beef Hamburger Helper Beef dish with pasta shells.

Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe

We made this as a ground beef taco pasta but I have used Jimmy Dean spicy ground sausage before with our Taco Hamburger Helper and this one too. It is always a real hit with those who love heat!! Still an under 30 minute dish you can make in one pan.

• Fill a large pot halfway with water, and bring to a boil. Add the noodles, and cook until al dente. Drain the water using a colander. Set aside until meat is cooked. (if serving cold, run cold water over the noodles to cool)
• Add the ground beef to a large deep skillet and cook over medium heat until browned.
• Drain the grease. Add the taco seasoning, and broth or water.
• Bring to a boil, then cook over low heat for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce with the meat.
• Serving hot – Add the drained noodles into the pan with the meat, drizzle with the dressing. Fold together to coat. Add the diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed black beans, whole or sliced olives, and cheese. Fold together and heat until cheese melts. Turn heat off. Serve topped with crushed Doritos.

If serving cold like our Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad– Add the noodles to a bowl with the dressing, toss to coat. Add the cooked meat, tomatoes, drained and rinsed black beans, whole or sliced olives, cheese just to combine. Then top with crushed Doritos. Can fold in half chips and garnish with other half.

How to Make Taco Pasta

Want more meat? Make it like Bacon Pasta Salad with bits of precooked pieces chopped up in there too. Really when it comes to a casserole type of dish like this one, I don’t use a whole lot of measurements. I mean I provided them to you below but once you make it a few times you probably will just use approximate handfuls here and there.

Is pasta a Mexican food?

I mean not typically. It is traditionally served in Italian dishes but a fusion can be fun! Mixing in the seasonings with a bit of heat with crunchy elements of taco shells on top it is a delicious way to enjoy both cultures at the same time.

What’s the difference between Italian pasta and Mexican pasta?

Italian styles are typically made from durum wheat semolina, which gives it a firm texture and allows it to hold its shape well during cooking. Mexican on the other hand, can be made from a variety of ingredients like wheat flour, masa, or a combination of both. Corn-based pasta is more common in Mexico.

How do you transport cold pasta salad?

If you are in fact making this cold there are a few tips you should follow for transporting, keeping it cold, and storing leftovers, etc. Taking it to your event safely can be a bit tricky, as you want to make sure it stays safe to eat and maintains its freshness. Here are some tips to help you transport it effectively:

1. Choose a sturdy, airtight container that’s leak-proof to prevent any dressing or liquids from spilling during transportation. A container with multiple compartments can help keep ingredients separate until you’re ready to serve.
2. Creamy pasta salad with mayo should be kept at a safe temperature to prevent bacteria growth. Use an insulated cooler bag or a container with ice packs to keep the salad cold during transportation, especially if you’re traveling for an extended period.
3. Fill the container with pasta salad, ensuring there’s not too much empty space. This reduces the chance of the salad moving around and getting mushy.
4. If possible, store the dressing separately and add it to the pasta salad just before serving. This prevents the salad from becoming soggy during transportation.
5. If your noodle salad has multiple layers of ingredients, consider layering them in the container. For example, start with a layer of pasta, followed by vegetables, protein, and then any toppings. This helps keep the ingredients organized and prevents them from getting mixed up.
6. Make sure the pasta salad is well-chilled before packing it for transportation. This initial cold temperature will help maintain the salad’s freshness for a longer period.
7. When making the pasta salad, consider cooking the pasta slightly under the recommended cooking time. This way, it won’t become overly soft as it sits during transportation.
8. Ingredients that are prone to wilting or getting soggy, such as lettuce or delicate herbs, might be better added just before serving rather than during transportation.
9. Place the sealed container in a cooler bag with ice packs or in a larger container with ice packs surrounding it. This will help maintain a consistent cold temperature.
10. If possible, serve the pasta salad shortly after reaching your destination to ensure it’s at its freshest.

Remember to follow proper food safety guidelines to prevent any risks of foodborne illnesses. Keep the pasta salad refrigerated until you’re ready to leave and use proper precautions to ensure that it stays chilled throughout transportation.