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Creamy Cheesy Taco Pasta Skillet Recipe Easy One-Pot Comfort Meal

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A quick, filling, and no-mess one-pot meal combining taco seasoning with creamy, cheesy pasta for a comforting and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 8 ounces medium pasta (elbow macaroni or rotini)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 2 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, sour cream, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat and vegetables. Stir well to coat evenly.
  4. Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Add dry pasta, making sure it is submerged in the liquid.
  6. Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Once pasta is tender, stir in softened cream cheese until melted and smooth.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or extra taco spices if needed. Remove from heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
  10. Serve warm, garnished with optional toppings like cilantro, green onions, sour cream, or avocado slices.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese for a smoother sauce. Stir gently and regularly to prevent pasta from sticking. Cover while simmering to keep pasta tender. Adjust salt at the end to avoid over-salting. Add extra broth if pasta is too firm after simmering. Variations include using black beans for vegetarian, dairy-free cream cheese for dairy-free, or spiralized veggies for low-carb.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta, creamy pasta, one-pot meal, cheesy skillet, quick dinner, comfort food, taco seasoning, easy recipe

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/creamy-cheesy-taco-pasta-skillet-recipe-easy-one-pot-comfort-meal/