Easy Taco Pasta (6 Ingredients!)
Easy taco pasta is the best dinner for busy weeknights! This taco pasta recipe is healthy, cheesy, and delicious. It’s perfect if you’re short on time or looking for a quick and easy lunch or dinner option. This dish comes together with only 6 required ingredients!
As a busy mom, finding a quick and easy dinner recipe that my whole family loves is always a win for me. Enter taco pasta – the simple, delicious, and budget-friendly meal that I can whip up in no time.
All you need are six ingredients to make this flavorful dish: ground beef/turkey, pasta, salsa, taco seasoning, shredded cheese, and greek yogurt. Then, the sky is the limit for which other toppings you wish to include!
Clearly this taco pasta has quickly become one of my family’s go-to meals thanks to its simplicity, affordability, and irresistibly savory taste. Seriously, we are talking about tacos combined with pasta. Does a more dynamic duo even exist?
why we love taco pasta
I promise this taco pasta recipe is going to be your new favorite busy weeknight dinner too! Here’s why we love it so much:
- Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this meal takes about 20 minutes. Taco pasta is perfect for families on the go that want something nourishing and delicious. Made in 3 simple steps, this recipe saves you precious time and energy!
- Customizable: Swap beef for ground turkey and make it healthier. Add diced tomatoes, beans, or corn for extra flavor and nutrition. Customize the toppings to add a little bit of fun to your dish. Also, we love the ability to change-up the pasta choices in this recipe.
- One Pot Meal: Taco pasta is a one-pot meal that eliminates the need for washing many dishes. This saves you time and effort and makes cleanup less daunting!
- Inexpensive: This taco pasta recipe is a budget-friendly meal. It only requires pantry staples like pasta and taco seasoning, as well as affordable proteins like ground beef or turkey.
- Lunchbox/Meal Prep Ready – Enjoy this taco pasta dish warm or cold, it’s equally delish! It’s a great option for a school lunchbox or easy meal prep to enjoy throughout the week.
ingredients
To make this easy taco pasta recipe, you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online.
Here’s what we are working with:
- ground beef or turkey
- taco seasoning
- pasta
- salsa
- shredded cheese
- greek yogurt or sour cream
- optional toppings to add in: sliced black olives, avocado, corn, beans, chopped cilantro, shredded lettuce and/or green onions
How to make homemade taco seasoning
This taco pasta recipe calls for taco seasoning which can be store-bought or simply made at home. We find that making our own taco seasoning is not only easy, but it allows customizability for the spice level and ensures that there are no extra preservatives or additives. Here’s our simple and flavorful recipe to try if making your own taco seasoning:
- In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional).
The above amounts make 3 tablespoons of seasoning which is the amount you will need for this taco pasta recipe
how to make taco pasta
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat until browned, adding in the taco seasoning until browned and fully cooked.
- While the meat is browning, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and place pasta back into the pot; drizzle over olive oil to coat.
- With the pasta still warmed, add in the cooked meat, salsa, shredded cheese and greek yogurt to the pot. Add preferred toppings and stir well until all ingredients are well combined. Season with salt and pepper and/or additional taco seasoning to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and/or additional salsa if desired.
can I meal prep this recipe?
Yes! This recipe for taco pasta is a great option for meal prep as it’s easy, delicious, and can help save time and energy during a busy week. It can be easily made in large batches and portioned out for several meals.
Additionally, this taco pasta dish is a complete meal that includes protein, vegetables, and grains, making it a well-balanced and nutritious option for both lunch and dinner. You can easily pack it for work or school as it reheats well and doesn’t require any extra cooking. This delicious dish is a meal prep winner!
Enjoy! We hope you enjoy this easy family-friendly recipe as much as our little tribe has time and time again. Please leave us a star review and comment if you enjoyed this recipe!
Easy Taco Pasta (6 Ingredients!)
- SFSugar Free
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken)
- 12 oz preferred pasta
- 3 tbs taco seasoning, homemade or store-bought
- 1-2 tbs olive oil, optional, to drizzle over cooked pasta
- 1 cup salsa, fresh or jarred
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup greek yogurt or sour cream
- sliced black olives, avocado, corn, beans, chopped cilantro, shredded lettuce and/or green onions, optional toppings to add-in
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground meat until browned, adding in the taco seasoning until browned and fully cooked.
- While the meat is browning, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and place pasta back into the pot; drizzle over olive oil to coat.
- With the pasta still warmed, add in the cooked meat, salsa, shredded cheese and greek yogurt to the pot. Add preferred toppings and stir well until all ingredients are well combined. Season with salt and pepper and/or additional taco seasoning to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and/or additional salsa if desired.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to tag thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this simple family-friendly recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!
