Description
A creamy, comforting slow cooker pasta dish that combines shell pasta with taco seasoning, cheese, and beans. Perfect for easy meal prep and busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340 grams) dry elbow or shell pasta
- 1 packet (1 ounce or 28 grams) taco seasoning mix
- 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef, turkey, or chicken (optional)
- 2 cups (200 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces (115 grams) softened cream cheese
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 small can (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2–3 stalks green onions, chopped
Instructions
- If using ground meat, brown it in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat.
- In the slow cooker, combine chicken broth, water, dry pasta, taco seasoning, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Stir well.
- Add the browned meat to the pot if using, and mix everything together.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 2.5 hours, checking at the 2-hour mark to ensure pasta is tender but not mushy.
- Once pasta is cooked, turn the slow cooker to WARM or OFF. Add softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Stir vigorously until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth and glossy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed. Stir in half of the chopped green onions.
- Serve hot, topped with remaining green onions, sour cream, or extra cheese.
Notes
Check pasta frequently to avoid mushiness. Use low-sodium broth to balance the saltiness of the taco seasoning. Let the dish rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker, taco pasta, meal prep, cheesy pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, one pot meal