Mexican AmericanMedium · Hot
Taco-Seasoned Beef & Pasta Skillet
A hearty one-pan meal that combines seasoned ground beef with pasta in a mild tomato sauce, finished with melted cheddar. Kid-friendly flavors with just enough taco seasoning to keep everyone at the table happy.
Prep
10 min
Cook
30 min
Total
40 min
Method
Brown the Beef
1
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and salt, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks, about 6-8 minutes until browned.
2
Drain any excess fat from the skillet, leaving the browned beef in the pan.
Build the Base
3
Add the diced yellow onion to the beef and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
Simmer the Pasta
5
Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth. Stir to combine with the beef and seasonings.
6
Add the pasta penne, pressing them into the liquid. Bring to a gentle boil.
7
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Finish with Cheese
8
Remove the lid and reduce heat to low. Add the shredded cheddar cheese and butter.
9
Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy, coating every piece of pasta. Serve immediately.
D
Nutri-Score
Needs balance
A–E · lower is better · score 11
Calories
833
per serving
High in saturated fat · 22gHigh in protein · 54gLow sugar · 8g
Protein
54g
Carbs
53g
Fat
44g
Sat. fat
22g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1264mg
Gluten ContainingDairy ContainingCardiovascular ConcernSodium SensitiveHigh Protein
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
E
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
12
per serving
ECarbonBEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.6m³
Land
292Pt
Runoff
0.3g P
Ground Beef drives 93% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
4
Sweet
5
Salty
2
Sour
1
Bitter
3
Spicy
Textures
CrispyTenderCreamySaucy
Aromas
GarlickyEarthySmokySavoryTomato
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Frying PanCounter FootprintMedium
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook ground beef to 160°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Do not rely solely on visual cues or time estimates.
Ensure pasta reaches tender texture and liquid is absorbed to proper consistency; undercooked pasta poses digestive concerns.
Handling
Use caution when draining hot fat from the skillet after browning beef. Pour away from body and allow grease to cool before disposing.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and vegetables. Wash all utensils, knives, and surfaces with hot soapy water after handling raw beef.
Do not reuse the spatula or tongs that touched raw beef when stirring the sauce or adding cheese.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in airtight containers. Consume within 3-4 days.
High Risk Population
For young children under 5, cut pasta pieces and meat crumbles to appropriate size to reduce choking risk.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains milk and wheat/gluten. Verify chicken broth is gluten-free if cooking for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
Equipment Safety
Use oven mitt when removing the hot lid from the skillet due to trapped steam.
Pro Tips
Technique
When the pasta is simmering covered, don't skip stirring every few minutes. It keeps the penne from sticking together and ensures every piece gets coated in that delicious seasoned sauce.
Substitution
Ground turkey works beautifully here if you've got it—same great texture, lighter feel. And if your kids are adventurous, toss in some finely diced bell peppers with the onion for extra veggies they won't even notice.
Time Saver
Use pre-shredded cheddar to cut down on prep time. I keep a bag in the fridge because honestly, some nights every minute counts.
From the chef
Ground beef browns first, then onion and garlic soften into the same pan before cumin and paprika get a thirty-second bloom. From there it's a one-pan finish: tomato sauce and broth go in, dry penne goes in, and everything simmers covered until the pasta is tender and the liquid is absorbed. No separate pot, no draining. Butter and cheddar stir in at the end over low heat until the sauce turns glossy and coats every piece. The seasoning is taco-adjacent but mild enough that nobody has to negotiate around it. The cheese pull at the end is worth the patience it takes to stir it in slowly.
TagsOne PanKid FriendlyGround BeefPastaWeeknight DinnerCheesyTex Mex InspiredFamily Meal
AllergensMilkWheatGluten
Source: generated · June 10, 2026