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Need dinner on the table quickly? This cheesy beef taco pasta is a family-favorite, combining the wonderful flavors of cheesy pasta with tacos. Best of all, it’s ready in under 30 minutes and in one pot!

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When we’re low on time or it’s a busy weeknight, I always resort to pasta or tacos.

They are both classic family meal options and both things that my kids love and will eat – a favorite among ground beef recipes for toddlers.

So, why didn’t I think to combine them sooner?!

Beef is such a nutrient powerhouse for kids, adolescents and adults.

Did you know that nutrient deficiencies during childhood and adolescence can lead to significant growth challenges, like delayed physical development, slowed linear growth and decreased cognitive function?

Iron and zinc are crucial for strong cognitive function, and deficiencies in these nutrients are linked to cognitive impairment and poor academic performance in school children, with or without anemia.

Fortunately, beef is a great source of heme iron, which is much more absorbable than non-heme iron found in plant-based sources, and can be critical to reversing iron deficiency.

Why You’ll Love Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta

• Highly nutritious – While pasta may not come to mind as the healthiest meal, this beef pasta recipe is a great source of nutrients, like iron and zinc, which are key contributors to cognitive function and have been linked to improved academic performance.
• Ready in under 30 minutes – Don’t we all love meals that only use one pot? This is almost a must for our weeknights, and really, any meal with young kids, especially in the back-to-school season! Kids come home from school hungry, and we eat dinner early – good thing this cheesy taco pasta is ready in under 30 minutes!
• Veggie forward – With onion, diced tomatoes and diced peppers, this Ground Beef Taco Pasta is bursting with veggies, as well as high-quality lean protein! It’s also a beautiful mix of plant protein and animal protein for any flexitarian lifestyle.
• Kids like beef – Beef is a common favorite protein food, regularly enjoyed as part of many families’ after-school meals, post-activity snacks, celebrations and traditions – making it easier to help growing children enjoy key nutrients that fuel health and development. We aim to incorporate beef 1-2x/week for this reason.
• Versatile – While I used shells, you could use another type of pasta, like rotini. You can also opt for whole wheat versions, or even chickpea or legume-based pastas. You can also swap out the veggies for whatever you like or have on hand, or use a different type of bean or legume.  

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe.

• Ground beef – Any fat content works!
• small or medium shells pasta – This recipe works best with small or medium shells, as the flavors mesh more easily. I prefer shells or rotini!
• onion – Fresh or frozen work
• pepper
• garlic
• diced tomatoes
• beef broth – You can also use bone broth for more protein and nutrients
• tomato sauce – Opt for low sodium if preferred
• taco spices – Grab a low-sodium taco mix if you prefer, or a spicier one to match your tastebuds. I went with a mild blend.
• cottage cheese – I love the extra protein from cottage cheese, but you can also use ricotta cheese or cream cheese for the cottage cheese, or even omit it completely. It adds a nice creaminess to the cheese layer, but it isn’t absolutely necessary.
• cheese – I used a three blend cheese and mozzarella cheese
• canned beans – Canned black beans work best. Make sure to drain them beforehand to reduce the salt!

How to Make Beef Taco Pasta

You’ll start by sauteing your onion and browning the beef over medium-high heat.

Next, you’ll add in the peppers, taco spices and garlic and give it a stir.

This is followed by the addition of liquids, diced tomatoes and pasta.

Once that is all cooked, you’ll add in the canned beans and cheesy goodness.

We’re using cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese and a Mexican blended cheese (though you can modify to cheeses of your liking).

How to Store Cheesy Taco Pasta

Let the pasta cool completely, and then store in an airtight container or tupperware for up to 4 days in the fridge.

You can also freeze it after cooking and cooling for up to 3 months.

• Veggie pasta bake
• Turkey taco quinoa skillet
• Baked goat cheese pasta
• Quinoa Pizza Bites

Continue to Content

Yield: 4-6 servings

One Pot Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta

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Need dinner on the table quickly? This cheesy beef taco pasta is a family-favorite, combining the wonderful flavors of cheesy pasta with tacos. Best of all, it's ready in under 30 minutes and in one pot!

Prep Time 7 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 19 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil or cooking oil
• ½ medium onion, diced
• 1lb lean Ground Beef
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp taco spices (+ more, to taste)
• ½ medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1.5 cups beef broth
• ½ cup water + more as needed
• 1 can diced tomatoes (not drained)
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 3 cups medium shells pasta
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheese (I used 3-cheese blend)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and beef.
2. Break meat apart and cook until onions are warm and translucent. Sprinkle with salt and pepper as desired. Add the garlic, taco spices and diced bell pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Add the beef broth, water, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and pasta shells. Bring everything to a gentle boil. Cover and cook according to pasta directions. 
4. Check the doneness of the pasta, and using a spatula or silicone spoon, gently stir the mixture to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. Once pasta is cooked through and the beef reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F as measured by a food thermometer, remove from heat. Add in cottage cheese, shredded cheeses and black beans. Stir and leave covered until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 580Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 1082mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 7gSugar: 5gProtein: 44g

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