One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta ~ easy, cheesy, delicious meal perfect for midweek. Everything cooks in one pan including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help, but better. Way better.

I haven’t made Hamburger Helper in, oh about 100 years. Seriously. Then the other day at the grocery store I whipped around the next aisle and ran smack into a large Hamburger Helper display in the aisle. Thankfully there’s nothing breakable in those boxes.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta is ideal for those nights you need a good meal on the table quickly, where everything cooks in one pot (including the pasta) so there’s less cleanup and *most* of the family will enjoy ~ maybe even your picky eater. It’s like the Hamburger Helper of your childhood, but better. Way better.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

I used to make Hamburger Helper back in my single girl days. It was an inexpensive, easy go-to that sometimes included hamburger, other times not and was pretty darn good. When I got married and had kids, Hamburger Helper somehow fell off my radar. We were a Campbell’s Soup for the Win household and lots of tasty recipes were born from those cans.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

If you’ve been following, you know how I feel about one pot dishes. Everything cooking together, flavors blending and seasoning each other and if there’s cheese involved ~ who am I kidding? There’s almost always cheese involved.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta is a delicious, comforting meal you can make in under 30 minutes. The taste is worlds better than the boxed version. I added a handful of crushed Doritos onto the top for fun, but that’s optional. Eat is as is, or top with whatever you would normally put on a taco ~ avocado, sour cream or even a bit more cheese.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta Ingredients:

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

  • olive oil
  • ground round
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • onion
  • garlic
  • 1 green pepper 
  • package Taco Seasoning
  • crushed tomatoes
  • diced tomatoes
  • beef broth
  • elbow macaroni
  • cheddar cheese
  • cilantro
  • Optional garnish: Doritos

Instructions:

Tip: My 12″ skillet held everything, but a soup pot would work well, too.

Add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet over medium high heat and once it’s hot, add the beef, season generously with salt and pepper and sear it on both sides before breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. 

Tip: Searing any meat (including ground) adds flavor. 

Lower the heat to medium then drop in the onion, green  pepper and grated garlic and cook a few minutes until the onions are translucent. 

Empty the package of taco seasoning then pour in the crushed and diced tomatoes and stir to combine. One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

Pour in the beef stock and uncooked pasta.

Tip: Cooking times are for elbow macaroni. Other pasta shapes/sizes may take more or less cooking time.One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

Blend everything thoroughly then cover and simmer 12-16 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

Fold in the cheese and most of the cilantro, leaving a little for garnish and if you’d like crush a few Doritos on top.One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

Healthy Option Tip: Substitute ground turkey for beef and whole grain or a protein-added elbow macaroni instead of the classic version.

This recipe makes a lot so if have a table full, you’ll be in good shape, otherwise, One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta makes a mean lunch and reheats easily. Enjoy!

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

Need more quick, tasty midweek meals? Here are few of our favorites:

Chicken Pad Thai

Best Salisbury Steak

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Enjoy!

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One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta. Easy, delicious midweek meal that all cooks in 1 pot including the pasta in under 30 minutes. Like Hamburger Help but way better.

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta

One Pan Cheesy Taco Pasta ~ like the Hamburger Helper of your childhood but way, way better. 
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground round
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 green pepper or any color bell pepper
  • 1 package Taco Seasoning
  • 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup cilantro
  • Optional garnishes: fresh diced tomatoes, Doritos

Instructions
 

  • Add drizzle of olive oil to the skillet over medium high heat and once it’s hot, add the beef. Season generously with salt and pepper and sear on both sides then break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  • Lower heat to medium, add onions, green  pepper and grated garlic and cook a few minutes until the onions are translucent.
  • Add the package of taco seasoning then pour in the crushed and diced tomatoes and stir to combine.
  • Pour in the beef stock and uncooked pasta.
  • Blend thoroughly, cover and simmer 12-16 minutes or until the pasta is al dente.
  • Fold in the cheese and most of the cilantro, leaving a little for garnish and (optional) crushed Doritos on top.
Keyword Hamburger Helper from scratch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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