Creamy One Pot Taco Pasta (Print)
Pasta shells in cheesy taco sauce with ground beef and tomatoes, ready in 30 minutes using just one pot.
# Ingredients:
→ Cheese
01 -
250g Cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
02 -
250g Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
03 -
120g Velveeta cheese, cubed (or 185g additional shredded cheese)
→ Proteins
04 -
450g lean ground beef (85% lean)
→ Base Ingredients
05 -
15g butter
06 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
07 -
28g taco seasoning (1 packet)
08 -
15ml Worcestershire sauce
09 -
30g tomato paste
10 -
240ml beef broth
11 -
240ml chicken broth
12 -
240ml whole milk, at room temperature
13 -
285g canned Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
14 -
225g medium pasta shells
# Directions:
01 -
Shred the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese from blocks and allow to come to room temperature for optimal melting.
02 -
Cook and crumble ground beef over medium-high heat in a high-walled pot or dutch oven until fully browned. Drain excess grease.
03 -
Melt butter in the same pot and add minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 -
Add taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, chicken broth, milk, and Rotel tomatoes. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 -
Bring mixture to a gentle boil. Add pasta shells, ensuring they're fully submerged. Cover and cook according to package instructions. Halfway through cooking time, use a silicone spatula to prevent ingredients from sticking to the bottom.
06 -
Remove cover and test pasta for doneness by tasting a shell. If needed, continue cooking covered until pasta reaches desired tenderness.
07 -
Reduce heat to low. Gradually add shredded and cubed cheeses, stirring continuously until completely melted and sauce is smooth.
08 -
Allow pasta to stand briefly as sauce will thicken and pasta will continue to absorb liquid. Serve once desired consistency is reached.
# Notes:
01 -
This recipe intentionally creates abundant sauce which thickens upon standing
02 -
For optimal results, use freshly shredded cheese as pre-packaged varieties contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
03 -
Other pasta shapes like rotini, penne or bow tie can be substituted; adjust cooking time according to package instructions
04 -
Consider adding corn, bell peppers, black beans or jalapeños for variation