One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-28 · Updated 2026-06-28

A simple one-pot pasta layered with beef, a mild taco seasoning, and a creamy cheese sauce that picky eaters love. This Mexican-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ground beef, medium onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1, finely chopped medium onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp mild taco seasoning
• 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
• 3 cups beef broth
• 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 1 lb ground beef with 1 finely chopped medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, stirring and breaking up the meat until browned and onion is translucent, about 6-7 minutes.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp mild taco seasoning, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 3 cups beef broth, 8 oz uncooked elbow macaroni, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup sour cream until melted and creamy. Serve warm.