One Pot Cheesy Taco Mac (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
500 g lean ground beef
02 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 -
1 medium bell pepper, diced (any color)
04 -
400 g diced tomatoes with green chiles (canned)
05 -
30 g taco seasoning (1 standard packet)
06 -
240 ml tomato sauce
07 -
500 ml beef broth
08 -
120 ml whole milk
09 -
250 g shell pasta (or elbow macaroni, penne, or rotini)
10 -
200 g cheddar cheese, freshly grated
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned and vegetables are softened, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
02 -
Stir in the taco seasoning and mix well to coat the beef and vegetables evenly.
03 -
Add the diced tomatoes with green chiles, tomato sauce, beef broth, whole milk, and shell pasta. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
04 -
Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
05 -
Add the freshly grated cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
06 -
Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes to thicken before serving. Spoon into bowls and enjoy.
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
For an even creamier texture, grate cheese fresh before use as prepackaged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents.
02 -
If the sauce is too thin, let the dish sit off the heat for several minutes to thicken before serving.
03 -
Choose pasta shapes such as shells, penne, or rotini to hold the sauce best.