One Pot Creamy Taco Beef Pasta Bake
This hearty, high-protein pasta bake combines lean ground beef, pasta, and a creamy, spicy taco sauce, all baked together under a blanket of melted cheese. It’s a one-pot, family-friendly dinner that’s bold, comforting, and easy to clean up.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (93% lean recommended)
- 10 oz (285g) pasta (rotini, penne, or shells; whole wheat or gluten-free optional)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp (16g) taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups (480ml) low sodium beef broth
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120g) Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 1/2 cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (165g) corn (thawed if frozen)
- 1 can (15 oz / 425g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Chop the onion and garlic, measure out your ingredients, and set aside.
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat, until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add cream cheese and Greek yogurt, stirring gently until melted and creamy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Stir in the pasta, black beans, and corn. Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring once or twice. Pasta should be just shy of al dente.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
- Transfer skillet to the oven. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden and pasta is cooked through. For a crispy top, broil for the last 2 minutes, watching closely.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with optional toppings as desired.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and taco seasoning. To make it vegetarian, substitute plant-based ground meat or extra beans. Adjust spice level with chili flakes or hot sauce. Resting after baking helps the casserole set. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the bake (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 820
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 32
Keywords: taco pasta bake, one pot dinner, high protein, creamy pasta, beef casserole, family meal, easy weeknight dinner, Tex-Mex pasta, comfort food, meal prep