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Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta

Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta
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Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta is a convenient and flavorful one-pot meal that combines taco seasoning with creamy pasta, making it perfect for busy weeknights. This dish is customizable, hearty, and quick to prepare with minimal cleanup, delivering bold Mexican-inspired flavors with comforting pasta texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey

Pasta and Beans

  • 8 oz uncooked pasta (rotini or penne)
  • 1 cup black beans or corn (drained and rinsed)

Seasonings and Liquids

  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix (about 2 tbsp)
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 2 cups beef broth or water

Dairy

  • 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or Mexican blend)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: Cook the ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium heat until fully browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula for even cooking. Drain any excess fat to prevent greasiness.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned meat to your slow cooker. Add uncooked pasta, black beans or corn, diced tomatoes with green chilies, taco seasoning mix, and beef broth or water. Stir gently to combine, but avoid over-stirring to keep the pasta texture intact.
  3. Slow Cook: Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 2.5 to 3 hours, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Check near the end to prevent overcooking and mushy pasta.
  4. Add Cheese and Finish: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the cooked pasta, cover, and let it melt for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir to incorporate the melted cheese before serving.

Notes

  • Use short pasta shapes like rotini or penne for even cooking and to avoid clumping.
  • Don’t skip browning the meat as it enhances flavor and texture.
  • Avoid stirring the pasta too much during cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Adjust broth or water during cooking if the pasta absorbs too much liquid too quickly.
  • Add fresh toppings like cilantro, diced avocado, or lime for brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker, taco pasta, easy dinner, one pot meal, ground beef recipe, weeknight meal, Mexican inspired, creamy pasta

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/easy-slow-cooker-taco-pasta/