One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet: Your 20-Minute Weeknight Dinner Hero!
Tired of endless dishes and complicated recipes on busy weeknights? Imagine serving up a delicious, flavorful meal that brings all the excitement of taco night together with the comforting ease of pasta – all in a single pan! Our One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet is precisely that: a family-friendly dish bursting with zesty taco flavors, ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes. Forget those boxed meal mixes; this homemade version uses simple, staple ingredients to deliver incredible taste with minimal cleanup.
This post is proudly sponsored by Tastefully Simple®. All thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own, reflecting my genuine enthusiasm for their products and how they simplify delicious home cooking.
Life can be incredibly hectic, especially with school schedules, work commitments, and countless daily tasks pulling us in a million directions. This is why having a repertoire of easy dinner ideas is not just a luxury, but a necessity for thriving through the week. As the seasons change and cooler weather approaches, the desire for comforting, satisfying meals grows, yet the time to prepare them often shrinks. That’s where smart, efficient cooking comes into play, and nothing beats the convenience and culinary brilliance of a one-pan meal.
The beauty of this One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet lies in its ultimate simplicity and incredible flavor payoff. The entire meal — from browning the meat to cooking the pasta and simmering the sauce — happens in one single skillet. This means significantly less time spent on washing up afterward, a benefit every home cook can truly appreciate. You won’t need a separate pot for boiling pasta or multiple bowls for mixing ingredients. Everything melds together beautifully, infusing the pasta with rich, savory taco goodness as it cooks, resulting in a dish that tastes like it took hours, not mere minutes.
You might recall my earlier collaboration with Tastefully Simple this year, where we created those delightful Honey Teriyaki Chicken Bowls – another fantastic 15-minute weeknight solution. I’m thrilled to partner with them again to bring you another exceptionally tasty and incredibly simple recipe. Their commitment to making delicious, accessible food for busy families perfectly aligns with my own kitchen philosophy. This Taco Pasta Skillet is a testament to how simple ingredients, enhanced by quality seasoning, can transform into a memorable meal, making your life easier and your dinner table happier.
Tastefully Simple is once again innovating with their exciting fall/winter line, specifically designed to inspire quick, delicious, and comforting family meals and treats, perfect for cooler temperatures and effortless snacking. This lineup focuses on hearty, convenient options that cater to the demands of modern life while still delivering incredible taste. And let me assure you, if this hearty, flavorful Taco Pasta Skillet doesn’t embody the essence of ultimate comfort food and the ideal cold-weather dinner, I don’t know what does! It’s savory, cheesy, and just spicy enough to warm you from the inside out, making it an instant family favorite.
On the blog, I have a growing collection of these incredibly convenient 20-minute skillet and one-pot meals. If you frequently find yourself struggling with dinner ideas each night, these recipes are absolute lifesavers. The core concept remains consistent: meat, pasta, and sauce all cooking together in one vessel. This method not only drastically speeds up the cooking process but also makes post-dinner cleanup an absolute breeze, giving you more precious time back in your evening to relax or spend with loved ones.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet
- Effortless Preparation: Everything cooks in a single skillet, drastically cutting down on prep and, most importantly, wash-up time. Say goodbye to piles of pots and pans!
- Lightning Fast: From the moment you start cooking to the first bite, this meal is on your table in about 20-25 minutes, making it the perfect solution for even the super busiest evenings.
- Bursting with Flavor: It combines all the beloved tastes of taco night – savory ground beef, zesty seasoning, sweet corn, tangy salsa, and diced tomatoes – infused deeply into comforting pasta.
- Family-Friendly: This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will adore. The flavors are familiar and satisfying, and you can easily adjust the spice level to suit everyone’s preference.
- Budget-Conscious: Made with readily available, affordable ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or fridge, making it a smart choice for any grocery budget.
- Highly Customizable: This recipe is incredibly versatile. Easily adapt it with different proteins, various pasta shapes, or an array of your favorite taco toppings.
How to Make Taco Pasta: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this delicious Taco Pasta Skillet is incredibly straightforward, even for beginner cooks. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the simple steps, ensuring perfect results every time:
- Brown the Beef & Onions: Begin by placing a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and finely chopped onions. Cook them together, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until the ground beef is completely browned through and the onions have softened and become translucent. This step is crucial for building the foundational savory flavor of your dish. Once cooked, make sure to thoroughly drain any excess fat from the pan; this ensures your pasta dish isn’t greasy and the flavors remain clean and vibrant.
- Season with Excellence: Once the beef is perfectly browned and drained, it’s time for the flavor star: stir in the Tastefully Simple Mom’s Favorite Taco Seasoning. This proprietary blend is key to achieving that authentic, well-rounded taco flavor without needing a dozen different spices. Stir it well, ensuring the meat is completely coated in the seasoning, allowing the spices to toast slightly in the residual heat and release their full aromatic magic.
- Combine & Simmer: Now, for the true one-pan magic! Add the remaining ingredients directly to the skillet: fresh or frozen corn kernels, one can of diced tomatoes (opt for diced tomatoes with green chiles for an extra kick and depth of flavor!), your favorite salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference), the uncooked pasta (elbow macaroni works perfectly here, but small shells or ditalini also do well), and the chicken broth. Stir everything together until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed throughout the pan. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook to Perfection: Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce the heat significantly to low, cover the skillet tightly with a lid, and let it simmer for about 10-12 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary slightly depending on your specific pasta type and how hot your stovetop runs, so keep an eye on it. You’ll know it’s ready when the noodles are perfectly cooked al dente (tender but with a slight bite) and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a rich, thick sauce.
- Cheesy Finish: Remove the skillet from the heat. This is when the magic of cheese happens! Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese blend) until everything is beautifully blended and the cheese has completely melted, creating a wonderfully creamy, cohesive sauce that binds all the ingredients together into a harmonious dish.
- Serve & Garnish: This dish is best served immediately, straight from the skillet. It’s a perfect communal meal. Pair it with your absolute favorite taco toppings to elevate the experience and add fresh textures and flavors!
Elevate Your Meal: Inspired Taco Toppings Ideas
While delicious on its own, this Taco Pasta Skillet truly shines when dressed up with a variety of fresh, vibrant toppings. Think of it as a customizable taco bowl in pasta form, ready for your personal touch. Here are some classic and creative ideas to inspire your serving:
- Avocado: Sliced or diced avocado, or even a generous dollop of fresh guacamole, adds a creamy, rich texture and healthy fats, balancing the spice and savoriness.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: A spoonful of cool sour cream or plain Greek yogurt provides a lovely, tangy contrast to the warm, zesty pasta and helps to mellow any heat.
- Fresh Tomatoes: Diced fresh tomatoes contribute a burst of juicy freshness and a touch of natural sweetness, cutting through the richness.
- Jalapenos: For those who love a bit of heat, thinly sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños offer a spicy kick and a satisfying tangy crunch.
- Black Olives: Sliced black olives add a briny, savory note that complements the robust taco flavors beautifully and adds visual appeal.
- More Cheese!: You can truly never have too much cheese when it comes to a taco-inspired dish! A sprinkle of extra shredded cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend on top just before serving is always a winning idea.
- Fresh Cilantro: A scattering of chopped fresh cilantro brightens up the entire dish with its vibrant herbaceous aroma and fresh taste.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice just before eating adds a bright, acidic counterpoint that makes all the flavors pop and sing.
- Hot Sauce: For the ultimate spice enthusiasts, a dash of your favorite hot sauce can add an extra layer of fiery flavor.
- Crushed Tortilla Chips: For added texture and a delightful hint of corn flavor, a handful of crushed tortilla chips makes a fantastic crunchy garnish that kids and adults alike will love.
Beyond its incredible taste and speed, this One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet is also incredibly versatile. Feel free to substitute ground chicken or turkey for the ground beef if you prefer a leaner protein option. For added texture and nutrients, you can stir in a can of drained black beans or pinto beans along with the other ingredients. You can even swap out elbow macaroni for other small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or rotini. This recipe is designed to adapt to your family’s preferences and whatever you have on hand, making it a truly flexible and reliable weeknight staple that you’ll return to again and again.
Tastefully Simple Partnership & Exciting Giveaway!
As I mentioned, I’m thrilled to continue my partnership with Tastefully Simple. They kindly sent me a bundle of their fantastic new fall/winter products, and I must tell you, their chocolate cake mix is absolutely incredible – a definite must-try for any dessert lover! Today, I’m excited to announce that I get to give away one complete kit to one very lucky winner! This prize pack is valued at an impressive $103 and is packed with deliciousness, offering a wide array of products designed to make your autumn and winter cooking and entertaining a breeze. Here’s a peek at everything included in this generous package:
- Cranberry Orange Bread & Glaze Mix: Perfect for a cozy breakfast, a delightful dessert, or a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Tiramisu Cheese Ball Mix: An elegant, yet incredibly easy-to-make, sweet treat that’s perfect for any gathering or a special occasion.
- Twist Grahams: A fun and versatile snack that can be enjoyed on its own or incorporated into other desserts.
- Baby Bundt Dark Chocolate Quick Cake: Indulgent and incredibly simple to prepare, this mix ensures a quick and satisfying sweet fix whenever a chocolate craving strikes.
- 30 Minute Meal Kit: This comprehensive kit is a game-changer for busy cooks, including a variety of seasonings and mixes:
- Chipotle Cheese Ball Mix: For a spicy and savory appetizer that’s sure to impress.
- Honey Mustard: A versatile condiment or marinade that adds a sweet and tangy kick to many dishes.
- Mexican-Style Corn Chowder: A hearty and flavorful soup mix, ideal for a comforting meal on a chilly day.
- Mom’s Favorite Taco Seasoning: The very seasoning that makes this Taco Pasta Skillet so irresistible and authentic!
- Monterey Jack Queso: Perfect for dipping chips, topping nachos, or adding a cheesy richness to other meals.
- Tex-Mex Simmer Sauce: For quick and flavorful main dishes, bringing vibrant Southwestern flavors to your table.
- Wahoo Chili Seasoning: Everything you need for a comforting, robust bowl of chili, perfect for game day or a cold evening.
- Recipe Booklet: Full of inspiration and easy-to-follow instructions to help you utilize all your new Tastefully Simple products.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to win! Use the Rafflecopter box below to enter to win your own prize pack, complete with all the amazing Tastefully Simple products you see in the picture above. And if you’re eager to explore everything else Tastefully Simple has to offer – from more seasonings and dips to dessert mixes and meal solutions – you can use the exclusive code DDAD10 to receive 10% off your entire order. Be sure to place your order before 9/30/20 to take advantage of this special discount with the code. It’s the perfect time to stock up your pantry with high-quality, convenient ingredients that make home cooking a joyful and delicious experience.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
More Easy Dinner Recipes to Love
If you enjoyed the simplicity, convenience, and deliciousness of this One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet, you’ll be thrilled to discover even more quick and easy dinner solutions on my blog. These recipes are specifically designed to save you precious time in the kitchen without ever sacrificing flavor, ensuring that every night can be a delicious and stress-free one, even when time is at a premium. Explore these other family favorites:
- Margarita Grilled Chicken: A zesty and incredibly flavorful chicken dish, perfect for grilling season or pan-searing.
- Creamy Beef Pasta: Another comforting pasta dish, rich, savory, and wonderfully satisfying for a hearty meal.
- Ground Beef Stroganoff: A classic comfort food, reimagined for ease and made entirely in one pot for minimal cleanup.
- Chicken Tostadas: Crispy, fresh, and packed with vibrant flavor for a fun and customizable weeknight meal.
- Stovetop Chicken and Rice: A hearty, creamy, and wonderfully simple meal cooked entirely on the stovetop, perfect for a cozy night in.
- Chicken Teriyaki Noodle Bowls: Quick, vibrant, and incredibly tasty – another fantastic Asian-inspired weeknight option that comes together in a flash.
Taco Pasta Skillet
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Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 cup frozen corn kernels
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 8 oz dried elbow macaroni
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
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In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown ground beef and onion.
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Add taco seasoning stirring to coat. Add corn kernels, chicken broth, salsa, tomatoes and pasta. Stir until well combined.
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Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is fully cooked.
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Stir in cheese until melted.
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Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Embrace the simplicity and incredible flavor of this One-Pan Taco Pasta Skillet. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a solution for busy lives, bringing joy and deliciousness to your dinner table with minimal effort. Happy cooking!