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Home / Recipes / Main Dishes / Beef Recipes

30 Minute Taco Macaroni

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Cheesy, beefy, and delicious, this homemade taco pasta "hamburger helper" is a perfect weeknight meal that needs just one pot and 30 minutes to prepare.ย 

Pan of macaroni, beef, and tomatoes in a cheesy sauce beside a plate of the same garnished with cilantro and grated cheddar cheese.

If you already have taco-seasoned ground beef in the freezer, this recipe can be done in much less than 30 minutes. If you don't have any stockpiled, go ahead and cook extra tonight and freeze it. Cooking 5 pounds ground beef and seasoning it for the freezer takes less time than making 1 pound ground beef 5 times and seasoning it for each recipe.

 

Recipe

Plate of macaroni, beef, and tomatoes in a cheesy sauce garnished with cilantro and grated cheddar cheese

30 Minute Taco Macaroni

4.50 from 2 votes
Cheesy, beefy, and delicious, this homemade taco pasta "hamburger helper" is a perfect weeknight meal that needs just one pot and 30 minutes or less to prepare.
AuthorAuthor: Mary Ann
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 8 servings
Calories 376

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
  • โ…“ cup water
  • ยฝ onion
  • 2 teaspoons garlic
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2ยฝ cups chicken broth
  • 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes and green chilies with juices
  • ยผ cup milk
  • ยผ teaspoon salt
  • ยผ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Instructions

  • Chop ยฝ onion and mince 2 teaspoons garlic.
  • Brown 1 pound ground beef in a skillet with chopped onion and minced garlic.
  • Add 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix and โ…“ cup water and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, 2ยฝ cups chicken broth, 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes and green chilies with juices, ยผ teaspoon salt, ยผ teaspoon pepper, and 16 ounces elbow macaroni. Cover and bring to a simmer.
  • Reduce heat to maintain simmer and cook covered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
  • Stir in ยผ cup milk and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

If you already have taco-seasoned ground beef in the freezer, this recipe can be done in about 15 minutes. If you don't have any stockpiled, go ahead and cook extra tonight and freeze it. Cooking 5 lbs. ground beef and seasoning it for the freezer takes less time than making 1 lb. ground beef 5 times and seasoning it for each recipe.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 376 calCarbohydrates: 48 gProtein: 24 gFat: 9 gSodium: 997 mgFiber: 3 gSugar: 4 gNet Carbohydrates: 45 g
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Plate of macaroni, beef, and tomatoes in a cheesy sauce garnished with cilantro and grated cheddar cheese with text Cheesy Taco Pasta - Just One Pot.

Plate of macaroni, beef, and tomatoes in a cheesy sauce garnished with cilantro and grated cheddar cheese with text Cheesy Taco Pasta - Just One Pot.
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Posted by Mary Ann; Updated on June 17, 2025Filed Under: Beef Recipes, Pasta Recipes, Quick & Easy Recipes, Recipes Using Cooked Ground Beef, Recipes Using Taco Seasoning, Stovetop Recipes, Use What You Have Recipes

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4.50 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hi there! I'm Mary Ann Kelley, and I'm the food blogger/meal planner here at Add Salt & Serve. About Mary Ann

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Plate of macaroni, beef, and tomatoes in a cheesy sauce garnished with cilantro and grated cheddar cheese with text Cheesy Taco Pasta - Just One Pot.

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