Healthy Taco Pasta Skillet (Less than 30 minutes!)

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings: servings

Calories: 406kcal

Author: Lauren

This simple weeknight meal comes together with easy ingredients and in one skillet! Super easy to make and packed with the most amazing cheesy beefy taco flavor. A recipe GO-TO for meal prep or busy weeknights!

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. 96% lean ground beef
2 Tbsp taco seasoning
1/2 Tbsp cumin
8- oz. uncooked small noodle pasta elbow, rotini, mini wheels, etc. - I used whole grain rotini
2.5 cups water
1 cup frozen corn (137g)
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10-oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chilis with liquid, do not drain
1.5 cup 2% shredded Mexican cheese divided (168g)
2 green onions sliced
Sour cream optional for serving

Instructions

Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and add ground beef. Cook over medium heat, crumbling and stirring frequently as it cooks until no longer pink.
Add the taco seasoning and cumin (no need to drain first or the pasta may stick to the pan), and stir to combine.
Add the dry pasta, water, corn, black beans, and tomatoes and stir to combine.
Cover pan, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 12 to 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and pasta is cooked through.
Add 3/4 cup of the shredded cheese and stir to combine.
Taste to check for seasoning balance, and add salt and pepper if desired. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and give it a couple of minutes to melt. Then top with green onions and sour cream, if desired, and serve.

Notes

To make gluten-free: use gluten-free pasta

To make vegetarian: omit ground beef or sub for meatless crumbles, more black beans or other favorite vegetarian protein of choice

Cooking Tip: If you don’t have a skillet large enough to add all the ingredients at one time, you can transfer the beef to a plate while the pasta cooks. Hold off on adding the corn and black beans until the pasta is cooked at the end (still add the water and tomatoes with the pasta as written).

Nutrition