One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Dinner

Discover the joy of cooking with this One-Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Dinner, perfect for busy families! This flavorful meal combines the comfort of pasta with vibrant taco spices, all in just one pan. It's quick to prepare, customizable, and can be on the table in under 30 minutes. With delicious ingredients like ground meat, cheese, and veggies, it’s a crowd-pleaser that makes mealtime easy and enjoyable, allowing you to connect with your loved ones over a hearty dinner.

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Ingredients

1 lb (450g) ground beef or turkey

1 small onion, diced finely

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 bell pepper (your choice of color), diced

1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning

2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or fusilli are excellent choices)

4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained of excess liquid

1 cup corn (frozen or canned, drained)

1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of your favorite cheeses)

1 cup heavy cream (for a rich and creamy sauce)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, sour cream, diced avocado, extra cheese

Instructions

Cook the Meat:

In a large skillet or deep pan, drizzle a bit of olive oil and warm it over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spatula. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Add Aromatics:

Once the meat is browned, add the diced onion, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper to the pan. Sauté these ingredients together for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables become tender and fragrant.

Season:

Stir in the taco seasoning until the meat and vegetable mixture is evenly coated with the spices. Cook for an extra minute, allowing the flavors to meld nicely.

Combine Ingredients:

Add the uncooked pasta along with the chicken or vegetable broth, drained diced tomatoes, corn, and black beans. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid.

Cook Pasta:

Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Make it Cheesy:

Lower the heat. Pour in the heavy cream and add the shredded cheese. Stir gently until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.

Serve:

Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and any of your favorite optional toppings like sliced jalapeños, a dollop of sour cream, or diced avocado for an extra touch.

Enjoy:

Serve warm directly from the pan for a comforting, cheesy, and flavorful one-pan meal that everyone will love!

Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 10 minutes | 30 minutes | 4-6 servings.