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One Pot Creamy Taco Pasta Bake

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This one pot creamy taco pasta bake is a cheesy, spicy, and comforting high-protein dinner that combines seasoned ground beef, pasta, and a creamy sauce—all cooked in a single pot for easy cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a crowd-pleaser with customizable toppings and plenty of flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) lean or extra-lean ground beef
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp (16g) taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tsp (2g) smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1–2 tsp (5-10ml) hot sauce (optional)
  • 10 oz (285g) high-protein pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410g) diced tomatoes with juices (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 2 cups (480ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • 1/2 cup (120g) plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • 2 oz (56g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (170g) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
  • Optional toppings: chopped cilantro or parsley, sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, avocado, green onions

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Gather all ingredients and chop the onion and garlic.
  2. Heat a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, breaking up the meat, until mostly browned and onions are soft. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Stir in minced garlic, taco seasoning, smoked paprika, and hot sauce (if using). Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes (with juices) and beef broth. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in the high-protein pasta, ensuring it’s mostly submerged. Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking. Add a splash more broth or water if it looks dry.
  6. When pasta is just al dente, reduce heat to low. Stir in Greek yogurt and cream cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Sprinkle half the shredded cheddar into the pot and stir to combine. Scatter the remaining cheese evenly over the top.
  8. Transfer the pot (or baking dish) to the oven, uncovered. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
  9. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with cilantro, jalapeños, or other desired toppings.

Notes

For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken. To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth. Let the bake rest before serving for best texture. If pasta is undercooked after baking, cover with foil and bake 5 more minutes. For a crispier cheese top, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta, creamy pasta bake, high protein dinner, one pot meal, easy weeknight dinner, Tex-Mex pasta, cheesy pasta bake

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/one-pot-creamy-taco-pasta-bake-recipe-easy-high-protein-dinner/