Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with this incredibly easy and cheesy Crockpot Taco Pasta recipe. This dish combines the savory, bold flavors of tacos with the comforting appeal of a creamy pasta bake, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. It’s a true one-pot wonder that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor, making it a guaranteed hit with the entire family. If you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it meal that doesn’t skimp on taste, you’ve found your new go-to.
We designed this recipe for the enthusiastic home cook who loves serving delicious, crowd-pleasing meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Just a few minutes of prep is all it takes to get everything into the slow cooker. Let it work its magic, and a few hours later, you’ll have a perfectly cooked, bubbling, and cheesy pasta dish ready to serve.
Why This Crockpot Taco Pasta Recipe Works
This isn’t just another slow cooker recipe; it’s a game-changer for busy evenings. The magic lies in cooking the pasta right in the crockpot with the sauce, allowing it to absorb all the delicious taco-inspired flavors as it softens. The result is a rich, flavorful, and perfectly integrated dish that tastes like it simmered for hours on the stovetop.
- Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Simply brown the meat, dump everything in the crockpot, and walk away. The slow cooking process melds the flavors of the taco seasoning, salsa, and beef broth into an irresistible sauce.
- Perfectly Creamy, Not Mushy: We’ve perfected the timing and liquid ratios to ensure the pasta cooks to a perfect al dente texture. The addition of cream cheese and cheddar at the end creates a luxuriously creamy finish.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: This dish is mild enough for kids but packed with enough flavor for adults to love. It’s a fantastic way to switch up your regular taco night.
- Customizable and Versatile: You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand. Check out our variations section for some fun ideas!
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crockpot Taco Pasta uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together for a truly spectacular meal. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
- Ground Beef: We use lean ground beef (90/10) to minimize grease, but ground turkey or chicken would also work well.
- Taco Seasoning: A packet of your favorite store-bought taco seasoning brings all the classic flavor. Feel free to use a homemade blend if you prefer.
- Onion & Garlic: These aromatics build a savory foundation. Finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic are perfect.
- Beef Broth: This is the primary cooking liquid for the pasta, infusing it with rich flavor.
- Salsa: Use your favorite jarred salsa—mild, medium, or hot—to add moisture and a zesty kick.
- Canned Corn & Black Beans: These add texture, flavor, and a boost of fiber. Be sure to drain and rinse them well.
- Short Pasta: Sturdy pasta shapes like rotini, shells, or elbow macaroni work best as they hold up well to slow cooking.
- Cream Cheese: This is the secret to an ultra-creamy sauce. It melts beautifully into the dish at the end.
- Shredded Cheese: We love a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for the ultimate cheesy topping.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious and easy Crockpot Taco Pasta your family has ever tasted. It’s virtually foolproof!
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Load the Crockpot: Transfer the beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add the beef broth, salsa, taco seasoning, drained corn, and rinsed black beans. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Add the Pasta: Pour in the uncooked pasta and stir again, making sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid as much as possible.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5 to 3.5 hours or on HIGH for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the pasta is tender. Cooking times can vary between slow cookers, so check on it periodically.
- Make it Creamy: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the cubed cream cheese until it’s fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Then, sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese over the top.
- Melt and Serve: Cover the crockpot again and let it sit for another 10-15 minutes, or until the shredded cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings!
Tips for the Perfect Crockpot Pasta
Making pasta in a slow cooker can sometimes be tricky, but these tips will guarantee success every time.
- Don’t Overcook: Slow cookers vary in temperature. Start checking your pasta at the lower end of the recommended cooking time to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Use Sturdy Pasta: Avoid delicate pastas. Hearty shapes like rotini, penne, and medium shells hold their texture best during the long cooking process.
- Stir Halfway: If you’re around, give the pasta a quick stir about halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Full-Fat Cheese: For the creamiest sauce, use full-fat cream cheese and shred your own block cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce gritty. For another cheesy favorite, check out this Cheesy Taco Sticks recipe.
Fun Variations to Try
One of the best things about this Crockpot Taco Pasta is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Make it Spicy: Add a chopped jalapeño with the onion, use hot salsa, or stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the taco seasoning.
- Different Meats: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even chorizo for a different flavor profile. Our Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich is another great crockpot meal.
- Add Veggies: Stir in a can of diced green chiles or some chopped bell peppers with the other ingredients for an extra vegetable boost.
- Topping Bar: Set up a topping bar with sour cream, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, crushed tortilla chips, and extra salsa so everyone can customize their own bowl.
What to Serve with Taco Pasta
This pasta is a hearty all-in-one meal, but a simple side dish can round it out perfectly. A light Cucumber and Avocado Salad (coming soon) would provide a refreshing contrast, or you could serve it with a side of garlic bread to soak up the creamy sauce. For dessert, something sweet and simple like a slice of Caramel Apple Poke Cake (coming soon) would be a delightful finish.
FAQs for Crockpot Taco Pasta
Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. You can fully cook it and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors often meld and taste even better the next day. You can also brown the meat and chop the onion ahead of time to make assembly even quicker.
Definitely! Ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent, leaner alternatives to ground beef in this recipe. Simply follow the same instructions for browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker.
Yes, you absolutely can! The key is to ensure there is enough liquid (like broth and salsa in this recipe) for the pasta to absorb as it cooks. This allows the pasta to cook through and soak up all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
To prevent mushy pasta, use a sturdy pasta shape like rotini or penne. Also, be careful not to overcook it. Start checking for doneness at the earliest time suggested in the recipe, as all slow cookers heat differently.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or gently warm the pasta on the stovetop over low heat. You may want to add a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce as it reheats.
The Ultimate Creamy Crockpot Taco Pasta
This Crockpot Taco Pasta recipe is the perfect solution for anyone seeking a delicious, easy-to-make dinner with minimal effort. It’s comforting, packed with flavor, and sure to become a staple in your meal rotation. Give it a try and watch it disappear from the dinner table! We know you’ll love it. Don’t forget to share your creations and save this recipe to Pinterest for later!
Crockpot Taco Pasta
Crockpot Taco Pasta: The Easiest, Creamiest Weeknight Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until browned. Drain excess grease. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the beef broth, salsa, taco seasoning, drained corn, and rinsed black beans.
- Add the uncooked pasta and stir to combine, ensuring the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2.5-3.5 hours or on HIGH for 1.5-2 hours, until pasta is tender.
- Stir in the cubed cream cheese until completely melted and the sauce is creamy. Sprinkle the shredded cheese blend over the top.
- Replace the lid and let the cheese melt for about 10-15 minutes. Serve hot with your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
