This delicious One Pot Taco Pasta is an explosion of flavors! It has ground meat, salsa, cheese, olives, and all the amazing taco flavors right in there. What's more, it's so easy that the pasta is made in just one pot and cooks in its own sauce!
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3 Reasons why you'll love this One Pot Taco Pasta
1 - It has so much flavor!! For those who love tacos, this dish will be a hit!! The combination of salsa, beef, cheese, olives, cilantro, and all the commonly used Mexican spices makes this pasta taste like cheesy tacos. I'm sure your whole family will love it!!
2 - This Taco Pasta cooks in its own sauce! You add all the ingredients to the same pan, and the pasta will soak up all those delicious flavors. That's why this pasta is so delicious!
3 - It's all done in just one pan! You won't need to cook the pasta in one pan and make the sauce separately. You just add all the ingredients to the same pan, and they all cook together. It's a simple meal to make your taco night even more exciting!
Ingredients and Substitutions
All you need are some simple ingredients to make this easy recipe that your entire family will love:
- Olive oil: We'll use it to sautee the garlic. It also brings flavor to the dish.
- Garlic: Brings lots of flavor. You can use fresh or minced from a jar. Garlic powder can be an option as well.
- Onion: Feel free to use fresh (½ small yellow onion) or dried flakes. The only reason I use the dried flakes is to reduce prep. time.
- Ground beef: I like using lean ground beef, between 85% and 95% lean. You also can substitute it for ground turkey or ground chicken meat if you prefer.
- Taco Seasoning: Use a packet of taco seasoning blend from the stores to save time, or use my homemade version of beef taco seasoning. The recipe is included in the recipe card.
- Chunky Salsa: Use your favorite chunky salsa from the store or homemade. Tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce is also okay to use (preferably a well-seasoned one).
- Penne: I like using penne because those little tubes are great for storing the sauce and all the good stuff inside, but you can certainly use another type of pasta. The hollow ones are better at trapping the sauce and add-ons.
- Black Olives: Feel free to use more or less or omit it if you prefer. Green olives are also okay to use.
- Cheese: I like mozzarella, Colby, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese, but feel free to play with your favorite cheeses.
- Cilantro: I know some people love it, and some hate it. So, use parsley or green onions if you prefer.
- Add-ons: There are many add-ons that you can use according to your preference. Here are some ideas: corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, avocado, diced bell peppers...
How to make One Pot Taco Pasta
- Start by bringing 3 cups of water to a boil.
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil and saute garlic. Then add onion and ground beef. Cook until no longer pink, breaking any clumps that may form.
- Add taco seasoning, salsa, boiling water, and salt; stir to combine. Leave it on high heat until it starts boiling again.
- Once it starts boiling, add pasta and stir well. Put the heat on low, close the lid, and cook it for the time stated on the pasta package.
- When pasta is 'al dente' or to your liking, turn off the heat and add olives, cilantro, and cheese. Mix it all up and enjoy.
Top Tips
- Choose the Right Pasta: Opt for a pasta shape that can hold the sauce well, such as penne, rotini, or pasta shells.
- Select Lean Ground Meat: Choose a lean option to minimize excess grease in the dish.
- Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional content by incorporating diced bell peppers, corn, and beans. This not only adds color but also complements the taco flavor.
- Top with Extra Cheese: Add extra shredded Mexican cheese on top of the cooked pasta on your plate for a classic touch. Monterey Jack is an excellent choice for a taco-inspired dish.
- Consider Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options if needed: Adapt the recipe to accommodate dietary restrictions by choosing gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cheese and ensuring your taco seasoning is gluten and dairy-free (if using store-bought).
Toppings
Feel free to top your taco pasta with your favorite taco toppings! Here are some ideas for you:
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Green onions
- Shredded Cheese
- Tortilla chips
- More fresh cilantro or parsley
- Corn
- Avocado
Variation
Gluten-free: Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta such as the ones made out of chickpeas, yellow peas, rice, and red lentils. You may need to adjust the liquid based on the type of pasta being used. Some of them tend to absorb more sauce compared to regular pasta. Therefore, it may be necessary to incorporate additional water into the sauce as you cook the pasta. Make sure to follow the time stated in the packet. Additionally, check out the ingredients if using store-bought taco seasoning to make sure it's also gluten-free.
Dairy-free: Use plant-based mozzarella cheese. Also, make sure to check out the ingredients if using store-bought taco seasoning.
Meat variation: Ground turkey and ground chicken can also be used as a substitute for ground beef.
Add veggies: Feel free to add more veggies! I made this recipe using red bell pepper, corn, and even mushrooms, and it was fantastic!
Experiment with Creaminess: Stir in cream cheese at the end for a creamy texture.
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
If you prefer to freeze it, ensure the pasta cools entirely before freezing. Portion it into freezer-safe containers, label it with the date, and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove, adding a splash of liquid to prevent drying.
FAQ
The "healthiness" of taco pasta is based on ingredient choices. Opt for whole-grain or gluten-free pasta, lean protein, and an abundance of vegetables to boost nutrition. Make the homemade taco seasoning given in this recipe, or use a carefully selected taco seasoning with controlled salt and sugar. Add cheese with moderation, opting for reduced-fat options. Pay attention to portion sizes, and consider fresh toppings like cilantro and avocado for added vitamins. Overall, making mindful choices can result in a healthier taco pasta dish.
More One Pot meals for your busy weeknights:
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📖 Recipe / Receita
One Pot Taco Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta ingredients
- 3 cups boiling water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoon dried onion flakes or ½ small yellow onion
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
- 1.25 oz packet of taco seasoning (35 grams) (instructions added for homemade, if preferred)
- 24 oz jar of chunky salsa
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 lb penne
- 3 oz sliced black olives (about ½ can) (85 grams)
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, Colby, mozzarella...)
- ½ bunch cilantro
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (add about ½ teaspoon if using table salt)
Instructions
- Start boiling 3 cups of water. While water comes to a boil, continue with the next steps.
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil and saute garlic. Then add onion and ground beef. Cook until no longer pink, breaking any clumps that may form.
- Add taco seasoning, salsa, boiling water, and salt, stirring to combine. Leave it on high heat until it starts boiling again.
- Add pasta and stir it well, ensuring all pasta is submerged. Lower the heat, close the lid, and cook it for the time stated on the pasta package.
- Once pasta is 'al dente' or to your liking, turn off the heat, add olives and cheese, and finish with cilantro. Mix it all up and enjoy.
For the Homemade Taco seasoning (if using)
- In a small container that contains a lid, add all ingredients, close, and shake to mix.
- Use the amount called in the recipe (about 2 Tablespoons) and save the rest for the future.
Notes
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Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional disclaimer
All nutritional information above is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Nutritional content may vary according to brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, substitutions, optional ingredients, etc. Simple Living Recipes is not responsible for any miscalculation or misinformation in the nutrition label.
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