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Skillet Taco Pasta

This Skillet Taco Pasta is a quick, budget-friendly, all-in-one meal that combines familiar taco flavors with comforting pasta, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 cups small shell pasta or similar shapes for quick cooking
  • 1 pound ground beef lean or extra-lean
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced optional but recommended
  • 1/4 cup taco seasoning store-bought or homemade
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or mozzarella
  • to taste fresh cilantro, chopped optional

Method
 

Cooking
  1. Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink (about 5–7 minutes).
  2. Drain excess fat from the pan to keep the sauce from tasting greasy.
  3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook 2–3 minutes, stirring, until the onion is translucent.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, taco seasoning, water, and dry small shell pasta. Mix so the pasta is submerged.
  5. Loosely cover the pan and reduce heat to medium. Let simmer for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the pasta cooks evenly.
  6. When the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted.
  7. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro if using and serve immediately.

Notes

For a lighter version, use ground turkey or lean ground chicken. Store leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking and use within 3–4 days.