Easy One-Pan Enchilada Pasta Skillet: Your New Weeknight Favorite

Transform mundane weeknights into a vibrant culinary fiesta with our irresistible Enchilada Pasta Skillet. This innovative recipe offers a delightful homemade twist on classic comfort food, infusing the ease of a one-pan meal with the rich, zesty flavors of Mexican cuisine. Imagine a hearty, cheesy pasta dish, inspired by your favorite enchiladas, ready to serve in just 20 minutes – it’s the ultimate solution for busy evenings when you crave something delicious and satisfying without the fuss.

For many, the quest for quick, flavorful, and minimal-cleanup dinners is a constant battle. That’s why one-pan recipes have become such a lifesaver in our kitchens. We regularly turn to favorites like the Cheeseburger Macaroni Skillet and One-Pan Chicken Spinach Alfredo, which consistently deliver on taste and convenience. Now, we’re thrilled to introduce a new champion to this roster: the Enchilada Pasta Skillet. It promises to become a go-to for its exceptional taste and incredibly simple preparation, making it perfect for any day of the week.

Why You’ll Adore This Enchilada Pasta Skillet

This Enchilada Pasta Skillet isn’t just another dinner recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed to bring joy and ease to your table. Here’s why it will quickly become a cherished part of your meal rotation:

• Quick Dinner Triumph: Life gets hectic, and cooking often feels like another chore. This skillet pasta recipe swoops in as your weeknight hero, delivering a delicious, homemade meal in a mere 20 minutes. It frees up your precious time, allowing you to enjoy more moments with family or simply relax after a long day, without sacrificing the quality or flavor of your dinner. It’s truly a triumph over busy schedules!
• Bursting with Flavor: Say goodbye to bland, uninspired meals. Our Enchilada Pasta Skillet introduces a vibrant Mexican twist to your dinner routine. Each spoonful is infused with the zesty, savory, and deeply comforting flavors of authentic enchiladas. The rich, spiced sauce combined with tender pasta and melty cheese creates a harmonious blend that tantalizes the taste buds, making every bite a delightful journey of flavor.
• Ultimate Convenience: Embrace the simplicity of one-pan cooking. This recipe minimizes cleanup, as everything comes together in a single skillet, from browning the meat to simmering the pasta and melting the cheese. With minimal ingredients and just one cooking vessel, it streamlines your entire cooking process, making dinner preparation an effortless and enjoyable affair, even on your most chaotic evenings.
• Infinitely Customizable: This recipe is a blank canvas for your culinary creativity. While incredible on its own, it truly shines when personalized with your favorite toppings and additions. Whether you’re adding sliced black olives, creamy diced avocado, a dollop of cool sour cream, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice, you can easily tailor this dish to your unique taste preferences, making it new and exciting every time.
• Kid-Approved Delight: Finding a meal that pleases everyone at the dinner table can be a challenge, especially with picky eaters. However, the familiar comfort of pasta and cheese, combined with the mild yet flavorful Mexican seasoning, makes this dish an instant hit with children and adults alike. It’s a family-friendly meal that guarantees smiles all around, transforming dinnertime into a joyous experience for every member of the household.

Essential Ingredients for Your Skillet

To ensure you have everything ready for this quick and delicious meal, here’s a detailed look at the ingredients you’ll need. Remember to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements!

• Ground Beef: We recommend using lean ground beef to keep the dish healthier and reduce excess grease. However, you can easily substitute with ground turkey or ground chicken for an even leaner option, or even a plant-based ground for a vegetarian version. The key is to brown it thoroughly for maximum flavor.
• Taco Seasoning: This packet of flavor is what gives our skillet its signature Mexican essence. A standard store-bought packet works wonderfully for convenience, but feel free to use a homemade taco seasoning blend if you prefer to control the sodium and spice levels. Adjust the amount to suit your desired intensity.
• Hot Water: Used to help cook the pasta effectively in the skillet. Using hot water from the start helps to bring the mixture to a boil more quickly, cutting down on overall cooking time.
• Enchilada Sauce: This is the heart of the “enchilada” flavor. A 20 oz can of your favorite red enchilada sauce will provide the rich, savory base. You can choose mild, medium, or hot depending on your preference, or even opt for a green enchilada sauce for a different flavor profile. Homemade enchilada sauce is also an excellent option if you have extra time.
• Milk: Dairy milk (any fat percentage) adds a creamy richness to the sauce, helping to balance the spices and create a luxurious texture. For a dairy-free alternative, unsweetened almond milk or oat milk can also be used, though it might slightly alter the final creaminess.
• Pasta: Any short-cut pasta shape will work beautifully in this skillet. Think elbow macaroni, penne, rotini, farfalle (bow ties), or even shells. Using short pasta ensures even cooking and makes for easier serving. Don’t hesitate to combine unfinished packages from your pantry – it’ll still taste amazing!
• Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully into the hot pasta, adding a gooey, savory layer that’s essential for any good skillet meal. For an extra kick, consider using a Mexican blend cheese or a sharp cheddar. Freshly shredded cheese often melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Enchilada Pasta Skillet

Get ready for a super simple cooking process that yields incredible results. Follow these easy steps to create your flavorful Enchilada Pasta Skillet:

• Brown the Meat: Begin by preheating a large, sturdy skillet over medium-high heat. Add your chosen ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken) and use a spoon or spatula to break it apart as it cooks. Continue to brown the meat until it’s fully cooked through and no pink remains. Once done, carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet to keep the dish light and flavorful. This step is crucial for developing the base flavor of your meal.
• Season to Perfection: With the meat cooked and drained, it’s time to infuse it with vibrant flavor. Stir the entire packet of taco seasoning into the cooked beef. Unlike traditional taco preparation, you should omit any additional water that might be called for on the seasoning packet. The liquids added in the next step will provide plenty of moisture for the pasta and sauce.
• Combine and Conquer: Now, add the dried pasta, hot water, the full can of enchilada sauce, and milk to the skillet with the seasoned meat. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring the pasta is as submerged as possible in the liquid. This ensures even cooking and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Boil and Simmer: Bring the entire mixture to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it cook for approximately 9-10 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time to prevent the pasta from sticking and to ensure it cooks evenly until it’s perfectly tender to the bite.
• Finish with Cheese and Serve: After the pasta is tender, remove the cover from the skillet. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of the hot pasta mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese has completely melted into a wonderfully creamy and gooey sauce, thoroughly coating every strand of pasta. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving; this brief rest allows the sauce to thicken beautifully, achieving the perfect consistency for serving.

Recipe Tips & Tricks for the Best Enchilada Pasta Skillet

Elevate your Enchilada Pasta Skillet with these expert tips and clever tricks, ensuring a perfect and personalized meal every time:

• Spice It Up (or Down)! The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. While taco seasoning provides a foundational flavor, you can easily adjust the heat. If you love a fiery kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or some finely diced jalapeños (remove seeds for less heat) when you add the enchilada sauce. For a milder version, use a “mild” taco seasoning or slightly reduce the amount. Always taste-test along the way to achieve your ideal balance of bold flavors.
• Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Both store-bought and homemade ingredients have their advantages. For ultimate convenience on a busy weeknight, canned enchilada sauce and a packet of taco seasoning are perfect time-savers that still deliver fantastic flavor. However, if you have extra time and prefer to control ingredients, making your own homemade enchilada sauce and homemade taco seasoning can add a fresh, vibrant depth that’s truly exceptional. Choose based on your schedule and preference!
• Swap the Protein: This dish is incredibly versatile when it comes to protein. While lean ground beef is a classic choice, don’t hesitate to tailor it to your dietary needs or what you have on hand. Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent lean alternatives that absorb the flavors beautifully. For a meatless option, consider using black beans (drained and rinsed), pinto beans, or a plant-based ground meat substitute for a hearty and satisfying vegetarian meal.
• Boost with Veggies: Enhance both the nutritional value and visual appeal of your skillet by incorporating extra vegetables. Diced bell peppers (any color), finely chopped onions, or sweet corn kernels can be added to the skillet when you brown the meat. They will soften and meld with the sauce, infusing it with extra flavor and texture. Spinach or kale can also be stirred in during the last few minutes of cooking for a quick green boost.
• Customize Toppings Galore: The right toppings can elevate your Enchilada Pasta Skillet from great to extraordinary. Offer a spread of options for everyone to personalize their bowl. Popular choices include a dollop of cool sour cream or Greek yogurt, creamy diced avocado or guacamole, fresh chopped cilantro, extra shredded cheese, sliced black olives, or even crushed tortilla chips for a delightful crunch. A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving adds a bright, zesty finish.
• Meal Prep Magic: This recipe is fantastic for meal prepping! Prepare a larger batch and easily divide it into individual portions for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. Store cooled portions in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions for up to 2-3 months. Simply reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or milk to loosen the sauce, and you have a ready-made, delicious meal at your fingertips.

More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed the simplicity and flavor of this Enchilada Pasta Skillet, you’re in luck! Our kitchen is filled with an array of other quick and easy dinner recipes designed to make your life simpler and your meals more delicious. Explore these other family-friendly favorites:

• Fajita Wraps
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Taco Stuffed Shells
• Mongolian Pork
• Loaded Chicken Casserole
• Coconut Crusted Chicken Tenders

4.50 from 12 votes

Enchilada Pasta Skillet

By
Erin Sellin

Enchilada Pasta Skillet is a homemade version of Hamburger Helper with a Mexican twist!

Prep:
5 minutes mins

Cook:
20 minutes mins

Total:
25 minutes mins

Servings:
5

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Equipment

• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Pot and Pan Set

Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 pound lean ground beef
• ▢ 1 packet taco seasoning
• ▢ 3/4 cup hot water
• ▢ 20 oz enchilada sauce
• ▢ 2 cups milk
• ▢ 12 oz dried pasta, any short cut
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions 

• In a large skillet over medium high heat, break apart the ground beef and brown until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease. Mix in the taco seasoning (do not add any water called for on the packet or in the recipe).
• Add the dried pasta, hot water, enchilada sauce, and milk. Stir until well combined. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer.
• Cook for 9-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender.
• Remove the cover, and stir in the cheese until melted.
• Let stand for 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken before serving.

Notes

You can use ground turkey or any other meat you like in this recipe.

Skip store bought and use

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 861mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
5 minutes minutes

Cook Time:
20 minutes minutes

Total Time:
25 minutes minutes

Course:
Dinner Recipes

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
5

Calories:
526

Keyword:
enchilada pasta

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