If you’re craving a quick and easy one-pot meal that’s tastes amaaing, this Taco Pasta is calling your name! The pasta is coated in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, infused with bold taco-seasoned meat, and finished with just the right amount of spice. It’s thick, hearty, and irresistibly cheesy—comfort food at its best!

Taco Pasta

Y’all, this Cheesy Taco Pasta is so good! It only takes a few ingredients, a bit of cheese, and noodles, and before long, dinner is on the table!

This one-pot meal has saved dinner more times than I can count.

Have you ever had a super-busy night, the kids are hungry, and you need dinner on the table in a hurry and don’t have time to get to the store?

I’m sure you know what I mean!

This is a recipe you can count on for days when you just don’t have time to slave in the kitchen. As long as you’ve got some ground meat, cheese, and a few pantry staples, you’ll be good to go.

Why You’ll Love Taco Pasta

Only One Pot: Everything is cooked in just one pot! Serve it with a salad or cut-up veggies, and voila, dinner is served.
Great for Busy Weeknights: Depending on how fast you can chop an onion and dice a jalapeno, dinner can be ready in about 30 minutes.
Everyone Loves It: The whole family loves this dish. If you’re feeding little kids you may want to skip the jalapenos though!

Ingredients for Taco Pasta

Ground Chicken: I alwayse use ground chicken for this recipe. It’s a great alternative to ground beef or ground turkey. It cooks up tender and soaks up all the taco flavors. Feel free to use ground beef instead if you prefer though.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use just a tad bit to cook the ground chicken and chopped onion.
Yellow Onion: This adds a mild sweetness and great flavor.
Jalapeños: These add a bit of heat to your one-pot taco pasta. Be sure to remove all the seeds!
Salt and Pepper: These simple spices season the dish and enhance all the other flavors.
Garlic Powder: Adds a warm, savory taste that pairs perfectly with the other seasonings.
Taco Seasoning: This is where all the taco flavors come from! You can use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning.
Chicken Broth: I prefer to use low sodium broth since I’m adding salt and taco seasoning. It adds flavor and helps cook the pasta.
Egg Noodles: These noodles soak up all that delicious sauce.
Enchilada Sauce: This gives the dish a rich, zesty flavor. You can use red or green sauce based on your taste.
Shredded Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack Cheese: This melty cheese adds a creamy, spicy kick to the dish.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Use sharp cheddar for an even bolder taste.
Chopped Cilantro or Green Onions (for garnish): These fresh herbs add a pop of color and brightness on top of the cheesy taco pasta. You can choose your favorite, or use both for extra flavor.

How to Make Taco Pasta

Cook the Meat and Veggies: Heat up some olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken (or whatever ground meat you prefer), chopped onion, and minced jalapeños. Stir in garlic powder and taco seasoning. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for about 12 minutes until the meat is cooked through and lightly browned.
Add Liquid and Noodles: Pour in chicken broth, egg noodles, and a can of enchilada sauce. Stir everything together really good. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low heat. Cover with a lid and let it cook for about 25 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
Add the Cheese: Combine shredded Monterey Jack and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl. Stir most of the cheese into the pasta and turn off the heat. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
Garnish and Serve: Top your taco pasta with chopped cilantro or green onions if you’d like. You can also add your favorite taco toppings!

Taco Pasta Toppings

Sour Cream: I like to top the pasta with my homemade sour cream. It adds a cool, creamy contrast to all that cheesy, taco goodness.
Creamy Cilantro Sauce: My delicious cilantro cream sauce pairs perfectly with the taco flavors!
Crushed Tortilla Chips or Doritos: Want some crunch? Crumble up some tortilla chips or even Nacho Cheese Doritos on top for a little extra texture.
Diced Tomatoes: Fresh diced tomatoes add a juicy, slightly tangy bite that balances out the richness of the cheese.
Extra Cheese: If you’re a cheese lover (and who isn’t?), throw a little more shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even some crumbled queso fresco on top. More cheese never hurt nobody!

Recipe Tips

I like this recipe with ground chicken or turkey, but you can also use ground beef or ground pork. Use what you have!
If you’re starting with frozen ground chicken, thaw it in the microwave first.
If you don’t want so much spice in your taco pasta, only use one jalapeno and be sure to remove the inner membrane, too. If you don’t want any spice, substitute ½ cup of diced green bell pepper for the jalapenos.
If you want extra spice, use a serrano chili instead of the jalapenos, and use Pepper Jack cheese instead of Monterey Jack.

Recipe Variations and Add-ins

Swap the Meat: Instead of using chicken, you can use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
Different Pasta Shapes: If you don’t have egg noodles, try using medium shells, elbow macaroni, or any short pasta you have on hand.
Add Veggies: Make it a more filling pasta dish by adding bell peppers, red onions, or even green chilis for extra flavor. You could also toss in a can of black beans for some protein and texture.
Change Up the Cheese: Use a Mexican blend of cheese or add some cream cheese to make the dish extra creamy. If you like a bolder flavor, go for sharp cheddar.
Spice It Up: If you love heat, add a pinch of chili powder or drizzle on some hot sauce for a spicy kick. You can also use green chilies instead of jalapeños for a different type of heat.
Make it Creamier: Stir in a little bit of sour cream at the end for a rich, creamy texture.

Other Easy & Comforting Meals

How to Store Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I’ll even make a double batch of this to have yummy leftovers for a second meal or for lunch during the week. It’s great in a thermos and heats up so nicely in the microwave.

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