Weight Watchers Taco Pasta is an easy, cheesy dinner that combines two family favorites: taco night and pasta night. This one-pot style meal is packed with seasoned ground beef, tender pasta, tomatoes, and plenty of taco flavor. It is comforting, filling, and simple enough for a busy weeknight.
If you are looking for an easy meal that does not require a long list of ingredients, this taco pasta is a great option. It also makes plenty for leftovers, so it is a convenient recipe for meal prepping.
You know what I call Mondays now? Taco Tuesday Eve. If I remember right, I think I saw that on Facebook and it just stuck with me. 🙂 Everyone seems to hate Mondays but that is what works for me to make Mondays go by faster. What do you guys do on a Monday to make it not seem so blah?
Since tomorrow is Taco Tuesday, I thought that this Taco Pasta would be sufficient. This Taco Pasta comes in at 9 smart points per serving and makes around 8 servings. Average serving size is a cup.
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Why This Works
This recipe works because it takes simple pantry staples and turns them into a flavorful meal with very little effort. The taco seasoning adds plenty of flavor without needing a long list of individual spices.
The combination of lean ground beef, pasta, tomatoes, and cheese makes this dish satisfying while keeping it easy to prepare. Everything comes together in one skillet, which means fewer dishes to wash after dinner.
I also love how customizable taco pasta is. You can add vegetables, switch up the protein, use your favorite type of cheese, or adjust the toppings depending on what you have in the refrigerator.
Ingredients Needed
- Lean ground beef: Lean ground beef adds protein and plenty of savory taco flavor. You can substitute ground turkey if you prefer.
- Pasta: Use your favorite short pasta such as rotini, penne, or shells. Short shapes work especially well because they hold onto the taco sauce.
- 2 cups beef broth
- Taco seasoning: A packet of taco seasoning makes seasoning the meat quick and easy. You can also use homemade taco seasoning. I prefer low sodium.
- ½ cup of salsa
- 1 cup of reduced fat or fat free shredded cheddar cheese
- Taco toppings: Try chopped green onions, tomatoes, cilantro, salsa, or a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
How to Make Taco Pasta
Step 1 Cook the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Add the ground beef back to skillet, taco seasoning, beef stock, salsa and cheese.
Step 2 Add in the pasta to the pot, cover, and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes.
Step 3 Add cheese on top until it's all melted and gooey.
Step 4 Serve the pasta with more cheese, green onions, tomatoes, avocado, or fat free sour cream if desired. It's good without all those extra toppings.
- Serving Size: 1 cup
Pro Tips for Taco Pasta
Use lean ground beef to keep the recipe lighter while still getting plenty of taco flavor.
Do not walk away while the pasta is cooking. Stirring occasionally helps prevent the pasta from sticking and ensures it cooks evenly.
If you like spicy food, add diced jalapeños, crushed red pepper flakes, or your favorite hot sauce.
For extra vegetables, stir in corn, bell peppers, black beans, or zucchini.
You can also use ground turkey instead of ground beef for another easy way to change up the recipe.
Storage
Store leftover taco pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When reheating, add a small splash of water or broth before warming it. This helps loosen the sauce and keeps the pasta from becoming dry.
The leftovers make an easy lunch for the next day and can be portioned into individual containers for meal prep.
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
Non Stick Skillet: Titanium Non-Stick Interior provides long lasting performance that stands up to frequent usage and allows you to experience easy food release so you can cook with confidence.
More Great Recipes to Try:
- Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Grinder Salad Sandwich - Tiktok Recipe
- Zero Point Cabbage Soup
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- French Fries in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pickle Chips
Recipe FAQS
Yes. Ground turkey is an easy substitute for the lean ground beef. The cooking method stays the same.
Absolutely. Corn, bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, and black beans all work well in taco pasta.
Short pasta shapes such as rotini, penne, shells, and elbows work well because they mix easily with the taco sauce.
If you tried this Taco Pasta orany other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries
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Weight Watchers Taco Pasta
- Prep Time: 18min
- Cook Time: 18min
- Total Time: 25min
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Weight Watchers Taco Pasta - a hearty beef taco pasta topped with cheese and all the taco fixings. This Taco Pasta has ground beef, cheese, taco seasoning (duh), salsa, and macaroni. It's almost like Hamburger Helper.
Ingredients
- 1 lb of elbow macaroni
- 1 lb of 96% lean ground beef
- 1 package of low sodium taco seasoning
- ½ cup of salsa
- 2 cups of low sodium beef broth
- 1 cup of reduced fat or fat free shredded cheddar cheese
- additional taco toppings such as green onions, tomatoes, avocado, more cheese, fat free sour cream, etc...
Instructions
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- Cook the ground beef in a skillet and drain the fat. Add the ground beef back to skillet, taco seasoning, beef stock, salsa and cheese.
-
- Add in the pasta to the pot, cover, and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes.
-
- Add cheese on top until it's all melted and gooey.
-
- Serve the pasta with more cheese, green onions, tomatoes, avocado, or fat free sour cream if desired. It's good without all those extra toppings.
-
- Serving Size: 1 cup
Notes
myWW points: Blue 8; Green 8; Purple 8
My WW Personal Points: 8 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 3
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 44
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Jenna says
Good to know thanks!
Linda says
This was really good. It goes together quickly and is delicious. I did double the taco seasoning.
Jenna says
Thanks for the review Margie!
Margie says
The family loved it. Served with street taco tortillas. It is a keeper for us.