Why You’ll Love One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe
Let’s face it when dinnertime rolls around and you’re short on energy but craving something delicious, nothing hits the spot quite like a cheesy, one-pan wonder. This One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake brings together the bold flavors of tacos and the creamy comfort of baked pasta. It’s quick, easy, satisfying, and cleanup is a breeze. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters, a hungry crew, or meal-prepping for the week, this dish covers all the bases.
Pure Comfort
This recipe is pure, melty, spicy, saucy comfort in a bowl. Every bite is loaded with seasoned beef, tender pasta, taco spices, and a gooey cheese blend. It’s like a warm hug on a hectic night. Think of it as the cousin of the Easy Baked Taco Lasagne, but with even less fuss and more stretch-from-the-fork cheese action.
Ingredients for One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this one-skillet dinner magic happen:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (elbow or rotini works great)
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa (mild or spicy)
- 1 cup canned corn (drained)
- 1 cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions, jalapeños, avocado
What You Need
You won’t need much just one large oven-safe skillet or deep sauté pan, a wooden spoon or spatula, and about 40 minutes. A cheese grater helps if you’re shredding your own (which we recommend for max meltiness).
Time to Cook One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Perfect for weeknights or lazy weekends.
Steps to Make It
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if your skillet will be going in the oven.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with diced onion over medium heat. Drain grease if needed.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle in taco seasoning and stir until meat is evenly coated.
- Add the uncooked pasta, broth, salsa, corn, and black beans. Stir well to combine.
- Bring everything to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
- Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheese on top and transfer to oven (if oven-safe) or broil until melted and bubbly.
- Top with fresh garnishes and serve!
Make One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Perfect
Want to level up? Shred your own cheese it melts better and adds that perfect stretch. Try fire-roasted salsa for a smoky twist or toss in chopped bell peppers with the onions for extra veg and crunch.
Mix It Up
This dish is a dream canvas for customization:
- Swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based meat
- Stir in cream cheese for extra creaminess
- Make it spicier with diced jalapeños or hot salsa
- Add tortilla strips on top for crunch
Inspired by the flavors of The Ultimate Taco Lasagna, you could even layer in soft tortillas if you’re feeling experimental!
Perfect Partners
Looking for a great side dish? Pair this with something cozy and light like a Ground Beef Vegetable Soup or a simple side salad with lime vinaigrette. The soup especially balances out the bold taco flavors and keeps dinner feeling complete without too much extra effort.
Busy Day Hero
On those confused midweek nights, you’ll be so glad to have this recipe in your back pocket. It’s as reliable as this Slow Cooker Pasta Recipe with Ground Beef hearty, easy, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. And yes, the leftovers reheat like a dream.
Work Ahead
This dish is a meal-prepper’s best friend. You can brown the meat, mix in the spices, and even cook the pasta mix ahead of time. Store in the fridge, then reheat in the oven with fresh cheese on top for a “just baked” finish.
Save Some For Later
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven. Want to freeze it? Just hold off on the final cheese topping, freeze flat in a zip-top bag or baking dish, and bake with fresh cheese when you’re ready to enjoy.
Everyone’s Happy
This is the kind of dish that disappears fast. Kids love it. Adults fight over the last serving. And if you’re serving it up at a casual get-together, don’t be surprised if someone asks for the recipe by the second bite.
Good For You Too
Sure, it’s cheesy and indulgent but it’s also got fiber from the beans, protein from the meat, and veggies (hi, corn and salsa). Want to sneak in even more? Stir in some chopped spinach or zucchini. It blends right in!
Easy Clean Up
One pan. No separate boiling. No colander. No casserole dish. This recipe respects your time and your sink space. Just rinse your skillet and move on with your life.
Switch One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Up
You’re not limited to Mexican-style flavors here. Use Italian seasoning, marinara, and mozzarella for a pasta bake twist. Or turn up the heat with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. If you loved the Cheesy Pasta Recipe, you’ll enjoy fusing it with taco goodness here.
Simply Perfect
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. It’s fast, flexible, cheesy, and full of flavor. No fancy ingredients. No kitchen gymnastics. Just delicious, home-cooked food that hits the spot every single time.
FAQs for One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta
1. Can I use any pasta shape?
Yes! Elbows, rotini, penne, or shells all work great just adjust cook time slightly.
2. Can I make this vegetarian?
Definitely. Swap meat for a plant-based version or add extra beans and veggies.
3. How spicy is it?
Totally up to you use mild salsa for a gentle version or kick it up with hot taco sauce and jalapeños.
4. Can I use rice instead of pasta?
You can, but you’ll need to adjust liquid and cooking time. Parboiled rice works best for this kind of bake.
5. What cheese works best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican blend whatever melts well and makes your tastebuds happy.
6. Is it freezer-friendly?
Yes! Just freeze it before adding the final layer of cheese, then bake fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Conclusion
If there’s one dish that combines the heartiness of a casserole, the boldness of taco night, and the comfort of a cheesy pasta bake it’s this One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake. It’s the definition of easy-meets-delicious, and once you’ve made it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. For more cozy comfort like this, check out Rita’s Easy Baked Taco Lasagne or try a classic Slow Cooker Pasta Bake next.
Happy cooking with Rita chef ❤️!
Print
One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Cheesy, zesty, and packed with bold Tex-Mex flavor, this One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Bake is the ultimate quick comfort meal that combines all your taco night favorites in one skillet. Easy to prepare and even easier to clean up, it’s a family-friendly dinner winner.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups uncooked elbow or rotini pasta
2 cups beef or chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1 cup canned corn
1 cup canned black beans
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: sour cream, green onions, avocado
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (if using oven-safe skillet). Cook ground meat and onion in skillet until browned. Add garlic, then taco seasoning. Stir in pasta, broth, salsa, corn, and black beans. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until pasta is tender. Stir in 1 cup cheese, top with remaining cheese, and bake until bubbly and melted. Garnish and serve.
Notes
Make it vegetarian by skipping meat and doubling beans. Customize with spicy salsa, tortilla strips, or other toppings. Great for meal prep and leftovers!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Skillet Meals
- Method: Stovetop, Bake Finish
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta, taco pasta recipe, one-pan taco pasta dinner, cheesy taco pasta bake