Description
Crockpot Taco Pasta is a flavorful, cheesy, and fuss-free one-pot meal combining hearty pasta, zesty taco seasoning, and melted cheese, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting dish ready to serve with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
- 10 oz Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 2 cups uncooked rotini or elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 packet (about 2 tbsp) taco seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican blend)
Optional Ingredients
- 1 cup black beans or corn (optional)
- Jalapeños or hot sauce (for spicy twist)
- Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or other veggies (for extra nutrition)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat until fully browned and slightly crispy. This enhances the flavor and texture before adding it to the crockpot.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the browned meat, uncooked pasta, Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, and chicken broth or water into the crockpot. Stir gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for about 2 hours. Check occasionally to ensure the pasta is cooked through and the mixture is not drying out.
- Add Cheese: About 15 minutes before serving, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top and stir gently to melt it into the creamy, taco-flavored pasta.
- Serve: Garnish as desired with fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, diced avocado, or sour cream. Serve alongside your favorite sides like salad, cornbread, or tortilla chips.
Notes
- Use sturdy pasta shapes like rotini or elbow macaroni to hold up well in the crockpot.
- Do not pre-cook the pasta; cooking it in the crockpot saves time and absorbs flavors.
- Layer flavors with generous taco seasoning for authentic taste.
- Keep extra broth or water nearby to adjust liquid levels if pasta seems dry.
- Stir gently during cooking and after adding cheese to avoid breaking pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Reheat leftovers gently on stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally for creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours (low) or 2 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg