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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Easy Taco Pasta

    Published: May 27, 2016 / Updated: November 18, 2021 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Easy Taco Pasta

    415 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Looking for ideas for what to do with Taco Tuesday leftovers? Try my easy Taco Pasta! It's full of bell peppers, onions, and garlic, and topped with traditional taco toppings like sour cream, cheddar cheese, and cilantro.

    white bowl of Taco Pasta on red and white checkered tablecloth with fork

    We don't always do Taco Tuesdays in our house, but when we do, one thing can be certain: we will have a LOT of leftover taco meat.

    You, too?

    If you're looking for a way to use up those leftovers, this is one of my favorite leftover taco meat recipes. Try this super delicious, fast, and easy dinner recipe for Taco Pasta!

    Kitchen Tools & Equipment You Need

    To make this Taco Pasta dish, you just need:

    • Large stockpot - for cooking the pasta
    • Large skillet - to cook the onions, garlic, and peppers, and to mix in the leftover taco meat and cooked pasta.
    • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula - to stir the ingredients together

    How to Make This Taco Pasta Recipe

    white bowl of Taco Pasta on red and white checkered tablecloth with fork

    Step 1 - First, cook the pasta in a large stockpot.

    Step 2 - Then, in a large skillet, sauté up some onions, garlic, and peppers.

    white bowl of Taco Pasta on red and white checkered tablecloth with fork

    Step 3 - Add the leftover taco meat to the skillet. You don't need to add any extra seasoning because the meat is already seasoned with your special delicious taco seasoning. Then sauté a couple of minutes more until the peppers are soft and the pasta is cooked.

    white bowl of Taco Pasta on red and white checkered tablecloth with fork

    Step 5 - Finally, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and mix up all of those gorgeous ingredients together.

    white bowl of Taco Pasta on red and white checkered tablecloth with fork

    Optional: Top with a generous dollop of sour cream, mix in some shredded cheddar cheese, and add a sprinkling of chopped cilantro.

    Taco Pasta: Your New Favorite Leftover Taco Meat Recipe

    What you get is a bright, vibrant, beautiful pasta dish. This recipe transforms leftover taco meat into a totally different meal that will make your tastebuds do the happy dance!

    Recipe FAQs

    white bowl of Taco Pasta with fork
    Is this Taco Pasta recipe dairy-free?

    Yes! Without the optional mix-ins and add-ons, this recipe is dairy-free.

    What are the best dairy-free alternatives for mix-ins and add-ons?

    If you want to add sour cream, this is my favorite dairy-free sour cream.
    If you want to add shredded cheddar cheese, try my favorite dairy-free cheddar-style shreds.

    What can I use instead of cilantro?

    Chopped cilantro is an optional garnish, but it adds a nice, bright, lively note to the dish. You can substitute parsley for cilantro if you prefer.

    What side dishes go with taco pasta?

    Opt for fresh veggies and/or a side of bread.

    • Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Garlic Rosemary Focaccia
    • Tortilla chips and Pico de Gallo

    More Pasta Dinner Recipes

    • Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta
    • The Ultimate Creamy Dairy-Free Mac and Cheese
    • Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Dairy-Free)
    • Tri-Pepper Turkey Pasta
    • 30-Minute Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers Pasta
    • Easy, Hearty Italian Sausage Pasta

    Taco Pasta

    Taco Pasta recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Taco Tuesday Take Two: Taco Pasta!

    5 from 8 votes
    Prep Time: 15 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 30 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    This 30-minute taco pasta is an easy, fast, super delicious way to use up Taco Tuesday leftover meat! It's filling, comforting, and absolutely beautiful to look at and to eat!
    Servings: 4
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup uncooked pasta
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ cup chopped bell peppers red, orange, and or yellow; I use a mix of all three!
    • ¼ cup chopped onion
    • 2 finely minced garlic cloves
    • Leftover taco meat - however much you have! I usually have about 1 to 1-½ cups worth.
    • 1 14- ounce can of diced tomatoes
    • Optional: sour cream shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cilantro or chopped parsley

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta according to package directions in a large stockpot.
    • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
    • Add chopped bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the pan. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, stirring to ensure ingredients do not stick to the pan and also ensuring the garlic does not burn.
    • Once the onions look slightly translucent and soft, add the leftover taco meat and sauté for another 1-2 minutes to heat the meat.
    • Add diced tomatoes to the skillet and continue stirring and sautéeing for another 2-3 minutes, until the tomatoes are heated.
    • Drain the pasta, leaving approximately 3-4 tablespoons of hot pasta water in the pot, and add the pasta to the skillet.
    • Stir the pasta until it is thoroughly coated with the tomato meat sauce. Add a tablespoon of the hot pasta water to the skillet as needed to help create more of a sauce.
    • Once the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce, remove from heat.
    • Top with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, and/or parsley if you wish. Serve immediately.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    PIN IT:

    white bowl of Taco Pasta on red and white checkered tablecloth with fork with text overlay


    Have you ever made taco pasta with your Taco Tuesday leftovers before? What's your favorite leftover taco meat meal? 


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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Autem says

        May 25, 2019 at 12:20 am

        This recipe was a huge hit! Totally adding it to our regular menu items. It was really quick and easy to make. I've tried a different taco pasta recipe before, this one is so much better. My 2 year old even loved it. Husband is currently finishing bowl 3, haha. Thank you!

        Reply
      2. lisa says

        April 29, 2019 at 2:43 am

        We just keep the ones we really enjoy and plus holiday seasons are coming, so it’s time to get ready. Anyways, thank you so much for sharing such an informative guide. Looking forward to more posts! <3

        Reply
      3. Kim says

        February 03, 2019 at 5:38 pm

        5 stars
        This recipe is amazing!! So simple with few ingredients and modifiable if needed. Not a pepper fan so those were nixed and a little red pepper for spice. Definitely my new go to left over meal!!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          February 04, 2019 at 11:33 am

          So glad you loved it, Kim!

      4. April says

        November 13, 2018 at 9:13 pm

        5 stars
        Stumbled upon this recipe when I googled “leftover taco meat recipes” - SO GLAD I FOUND IT!! It’s amazing!! My toddler even loved it! Thank you so much for giving me a new way to use leftovers!!!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          November 14, 2018 at 9:58 am

          April, I am so happy to hear that you all loved it! Yay! :)

      5. schnapps says

        May 06, 2018 at 8:34 pm

        I'm looking at partnering it with wine or beer. What would you prefer?

        Reply
      6. Patty Scott says

        January 10, 2018 at 2:26 pm

        Yum! Found you on Pinterest ... and saved to Yumprint! Can't wait to try this.

        Reply
      7. Nutmeg Nanny says

        May 31, 2016 at 7:35 am

        This looks awesome! Perfect for using up leftovers.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 10:47 pm

          Thank you! :)

      8. Rosie from Blog To Taste says

        May 28, 2016 at 1:23 pm

        This is such a smart way to turn leftovers into something else. I live for that kind of thing. Taco meat is one of my favorite things because there are endless ways to eat it. One of my faves is a taco omelette, complete with dairy free sour cream, olives and salsa. .

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 10:51 pm

          I hear ya: I love how many different ways there are to use up taco meat, and your taco omelette sounds delicious!

      9. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

        May 28, 2016 at 12:41 am

        What great photos with this post! Looks amazing! I love any way to use up leftovers, especially deliciously. Looks like you've got this covered! Nice!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 10:51 pm

          Thank you, Patricia!

      10. Erin says

        May 27, 2016 at 4:26 pm

        Fun! I am all about the Mexican flavors and who doesn't like adding pasta to really anything?!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 10:52 pm

          Right? I love pasta everything! :) Thanks, Erin!

      11. Jill Silverman Hough says

        May 27, 2016 at 2:23 pm

        Amen for sexy sour cream and feeling bad for people who taste soap when you and I taste cilantro! I can't imagine living without either! Have a great holiday weekend, Marlynn!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 11:07 pm

          I loooove cilantro! :) Thank you, Jill!

      12. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

        May 27, 2016 at 1:05 pm

        What a fun way to give new life to leftover taco meat!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 11:07 pm

          Thanks so much, Kirsten! :)

      13. Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic says

        May 27, 2016 at 1:03 pm

        What a fun idea to give new life to leftover taco meat!

        Reply
      14. Mary @ Vindulge says

        May 27, 2016 at 12:19 pm

        Yum! That sounds comforting and delicious. We're huge Taco Tues proponents around here (my kids live for tacos). They also live for pasta, so this is definitely a great way to use up any leftovers and keep the kids happy.

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 11:08 pm

          It's two favorites in one dish! :) Thanks so much, Mary!

      15. Marye says

        May 27, 2016 at 12:15 pm

        This looks amazing, I love tacos! I definitely would love to try this!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          June 02, 2016 at 11:09 pm

          Thanks, Marye! I hope you are able to try it someday!

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      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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