Cheesy Taco Pasta is easy to make and tastes like the Hamburger Helper you used to eat as a kid, except so much better. Try it tonight!
Hamburger Helpers are a nostalgic and crowd-pleasing boxed meal. I’ve made homemade versions, like this one, Bacon and Cheeseburger, Pepperoni Pizza, and Philly Cheesesteak for an elevated, but still easy, Pasta Dinner!
Sabrina’s Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe
Cheesy Taco Pasta is my nod to the Hamburger Helper I grew up eating as a kid. This isn’t exactly the “crunchy taco hamburger helper,” I skipped adding the tortilla chips. However, the ooey-gooey meat and cheesy sauce are still the same, and with just a few ingredients! Plus, you can always add crushed tortilla chips to the top. Then you’ll really be reliving some awesome childhood Hamburger Helper memories.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound large shells pasta
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning , (or 1 packet)
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup jarred salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the shelled pasta according to the directions on the box and drain.
- Add the ground beef to the pan and brown well.
- Drain the fat.
- Add the taco seasoning and ¾ cup of water, stir and cook until water is gone.
- Add the pasta back into the pot with the salsa and cheese.
- Stir to combine.
- Serve immediately, preferably with crunchy tortilla chips (optional) on top.
Nutrition
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Table of contents
About this Recipe
If you love extra cheesy food, you’ll love this recipe! I added only a single cup of cheese, but you can add up to 2 cups of cheese. You could also just serve more cheese with other toppings, like tortilla strips, sour cream, and fresh tomatoes, so that everyone can add as much as they like.
Kitchen Tools and Ingredients
- Cast Iron Skillet: You want a big skillet, preferably 12 inches, that is a bit deep so that you can mix everything without losing any of that flavor you built searing the meat.
- Jarred Salsa: Using your favorite jarred salsa cuts the prep time down to just a couple of minutes, and the flavors are still outstanding. You could also use my Homemade Salsa Recipe for a more gourmet option.
- Taco Seasoning: Buy a packet of premade taco seasoning at the store, or use my Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe to make your own with common pantry spices.
Can I make It Ahead of Time?
You can cook the pasta recipe now and freeze it to enjoy at a later date. I’d skip adding the cheese and when you defrost it, use a cup of chicken or beef stock to revitalize the sauce. Then once warmed through add the cheese, mix and serve.
How to Store
- Store: After cooking, don’t leave this pasta recipe at room temperature for more than 2 hours. You can let the leftovers cool, then transfer them to an airtight container to keep fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: For another storage option, seal the recipe in a freezer bag and keep it frozen for up to 3 months. You can let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: You can reheat the cheesy pasta over medium-low heat on the stovetop, or in 30-second increments in the microwave. Add a splash of water or broth to keep the recipe from drying out, and stir as you reheat it.
Looking for more cheesy pasta dishes?
These photos were used in previous versions of this post.
Made this last night and it was really good. Kids asked me to make it again lol, so that says something. Followed the recipe but did add extra cheese, because we all love cheese. Also garnished it with a sprinkle of cheese, green onions and sour cream. Definite keeper thanks.
I used tomato sauce instead of salsa and added about 2 tablespoons of sour cream and some velveeta
I made this but instead of adding the water I added enchilada sauce and it added extra flavor and turned out fantastic.
Such a great idea!
I want only chicken and vegetarien recipes
So easy and tastes so good! We put the leftovers in a pit of tomato soup. Best tomato soup ever!
We loved this recipe!! We traded out the pasta for a veggie pasta and the beef we traded for ground turkey but it was still so yummy!
This pasta dish was excellent. Thank you so much for this recipe my family thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s simple, delicious, and healthy.
I wanted to like this, but this just was lacking a lot of flavor. I used your taco seasoning recipe, and I really had to amp it up with some sazón, adobo, and double over the other seasonings. It was good once I tweaked around.
I also used leftover pasta water instead of regular water and some tomato paste.
Decent base just needs more seasoning.
Glad you were able to adjust to your liking.
This just replaced my mom’s baked Mac n cheese since as long as I can remember. It was great stop and shop brand fresh salsa is excellent in this recipe!!!!! Will be making later for family holidays. Not dry not watery, flavors mix well. We love extra cheesee
I’m so glad you guys enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
It’s great! Easy to make for my husband if I’m not home! Ladies, give him this recipe, kids LOVE it! He cannot mess up this DISH! IDIOTPROOF LOL
Haha!! Love it!
Absolutely yum! Partner loves it, when reheating to stop it going to dry I add a bit more salsa. Would make a hundred times
Yay!! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
What is a serving size?
About a cup. 🙂
Excellent recipe! I cooked the meat, added the salsa and taco seasoning. I added about 2 cups of water and let it come to a boil. Then I added the uncooked pasta and cooked until the pasta was tender (about 10 minutes) and the sauce was thickened. Great by itself but hubby likes chopped onions, jalapenos, and even black olives on top.
Made this tonight. Really quick meal. I added diced tomatoes & extra salsa (chunky). It was great & will make great leftovers.
Mine turned out perfectly!! I even added corn and black beans (both rinsed before adding) and it was DELICIOUS!! I cannot describe how happy I am that a Pinterest meal actually turned out terrific!! I will absolutely be making this again! ??
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Can I use ground turkey? Looks delicious & simple as I dont like 2 cook.
Sure 🙂
Made this with ground pork. A great recipe. Easy and delish!
Just made this! My daughter barely came up for air she enjoyed it so much, and she’s a notorious picky eater. Love this recipe!
Haha, love it!!
My family LOVES “beef taco helper” that I usually re-vamp and bake in the oven. I tried your recipe instead, added corn niblets, onion, doubled the cheese.. baked and topped with sour cream and chives… SOOO good! I recommend anyone add corn and sour cream, for my family it made it perfect 🙂
Sounds like a yummy addition!
This recipe is so quick and easy and full of flavor!!!! Literally takes no time. This recipe feeds plenty!!!! I wish I could give it more stars!
Thank you so much Lindsey!
Wonderfully fast and easy to get on the table in no time, and tasty on top of it. Thanks for sharing!!
You’re welcome!
Could I substitute the noodles for rigatoni or large elbows? Publix did not have the large noodles from the picture. ?
Also Newman’s Own salsa, mild ok?
Yes, feel free to customize it as you’d like. 🙂
This was very good. My kids actually wanted more! Thank you.
You’re welcome!
Hi Sabrina!
I’m planning on making this, but would like to use regular shells instead of the large ones, but the box we usually get is 1 lb. Can I use the entire box of regular shells for this recipe? Or would I have to double everything in the recipe since the box is 1 lb? Thanks!
If you use the entire box, your dish will be pasta heavy. I would recommend using half the box or doubling the other ingredients.
This recipe is amazing! I make a similar recipe but use jarred marinara sauce instead of salsa. (My son doesn’t like alot of spice). Also add extra cheese to melt on top. I usually make this recipe a couple of times a month, such a quick and easy recipe!!
Thanks, Jan!
Quick, easy and delicious! I used spicy taco mix and it was very good. Will definitely make again.
I’ve been looking for recipes my super picky toddler will eat. I made this for lunch today. I subbed turkey for beef, as we don’t eat it and chopped a handful each of carrots and kale. I added them to the meat in the beginning to cook and absorb the flavor of the taco seasoning. She loved it (so did I)! Definitely a keeper. Thanks!
Excellent, quick and easy.
This is delicious and so easy! I’ve given this recipe to several friends and they all enjoy it.
Yall. This is SO GOOD! Im making it again by request (for the third time) from my picky picky 4yr old!
Love it!!
Can you use taco sauce instead of salsa because I have picky eaters who do not like big hunks of tomato ? they do not like hunks of green pepper or they do not like salsa
Sure 🙂
Do you think I could substitute milk for the water (I’m a dairy lover)? In the alternative maybe I could substitute sour cream for the water and warm up the sour cream in a a small sauce pan then add the taco seasoning and stir until well combined and then dump that mixture into the beef mixture.
I don’t see why not. If you decide to try, I’d love to know how it turned out.
Sooo good! Made it for dinner tonight and my hubby said it’s a keeper for sure!
This is a great way to use up leftover taco meat if you made way too much (like I always do ?)! Thanks for the great recipe!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed it!
Can you use anytype of salsa
Yes, any type you prefer. 🙂
We made this recipe last night and it was fantastic. I grew up eating the Taco Hamburger Helper and this is so much more delicious. We did add in a small can of green chilis for a little more body and I finished the bowl with a little sour cream. My wife is a very picky eater and she loved it.
Love the addition of green chilis! Yum!!
I just made this, strict to the recipe. It tastes amazing. I used a medium salsa and it has some heat, but not too much. Easy to make and delicious. I will definitely make this a regular on the menu!
Delicious! I also added black beans and cilantro. Thank you for a great recipe!
Large shells? I think not….. ?
You need the jumbo shells for this. 🙂
My whole family loves this recipe that I make every Tuesday.
Yay!! I’m so glad you guys enjoy it! Thanks for coming back to let me know!
Made this Friday night after work. It is sooooo delicious!!! Made it with ground pork and my husband ate four bowls. Making it again tonight…and it’s only Monday!! Thanks for the recipe!
Sounds like winner to me!! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know how much you all enjoyed it!
I have made it with beef as well as ground turkey. Both were excellent!
Honestly this is one of the greatest recipes I have found on Facebook! It was absolutely amazing and will be making this again. If I could give it 10/10 stars I would!!!
How sweet of you to say!! Thank you so much!
If i top this recipe with the crushed tortillas and grated cheese and pop back in the oven will this be ok ?
I don’t see why not! Sounds delicious!!
This was a big hit at home tonight. Followed the recipe exactly how you posted it and it did not disappoint. Thank you!!
Yay!! So glad you all enjoyed it!
So delicious!! I read how some added a can of drained black beans and a can of drained corn, so I added both of those, but kept everything else the same – it really made the meal stretch even farther – and best of all, even my picky kids loved it! Definitely a recipe I will make over and over again.
Yay! I’m so glad everyone loved it! I know how hard it can be to please picky eaters!!
This recipe is in our regular rotation we love it so much. In fact, it’s taco Tuesday but it’s snowing, so we decided to make it taco pasta Tuesday instead 🙂 Thanks for another great recipe.
You’re welcome! Stay warm!!
Easy and delicious. I followed the recipe as written and served with salad.
Thanks for dropping by to let me know! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My husband & I made this, we both like it. One time we made it, my husband wanted to put it on a taco shell. Boy was it good, If you didn’t try that yet, you should. I made it again tonight 2- 16 – 18, a with the taco shells.
That sounds fantastic!
My husband & I made this, we both like it. One time we made it, my husband wanted to put it on a taco shell. Boy was it good, If you didn’t try that yet, you should.
Easy and very good
Made this for my 3 and 6 year olds. Added a half cup of chopped carrots, a chopped small zucchini and a half cup of corn. Kids gobbled it up, even with the sneaky veggies!
Isn’t that the best?!? Love when they eat it up like that! #parentingwin