Taco Hamburger Helper Recipe
This Homemade Hamburger Helper is creamy, comforting and full of bold taco seasoning flavor, all wrapped around tender pasta shells and melty cheddar. It tastes like the best homemade version of the boxed stuff, cozy, cheesy and so satisfying.
It's the kind of weeknight dinner you make when you want something easy, hearty and family friendly. Perfect for busy nights, chilly weather or when you're craving a quick twist on taco night.
For more easy one pot meals, you will love our Creamy Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato or this Coconut Milk Curry Lentils.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Review
"If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. Easy, one-pot, fast, delicious, and kid-approved! This recipe will be going in our regular rotation for busy weeknights. Thank you!"
-Seija
Ingredients
A handful of simple ingredients come together to create a rich, saucy, taco-inspired pasta.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Ground Beef: Provides heartiness and protein, the base of this whole dish.
- Taco Seasoning: Adds classic bold flavor without needing a dozen separate spices.
- Beef Broth, Low Sodium: Cooks the pasta shells right in the pan and builds a flavorful sauce as it reduces.
- Pasta Shells: Their ridges and curves hold onto the cheesy taco sauce perfectly.
- Cheddar & Cream Cheese: Melts together into a creamy, velvety, smooth sauce.
All you need is a cheese grater and a large skillet for this simple one pot dish.
Variations
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: Lighter options that still keeps the dish satisfying. You may want to add a little oil to the pan when cooking the meat.
- Add Veggies: Stir in onion, corn, peppers or black beans for extra color and texture. Alternatively, you can top with some avocados, diced tomatoes or sliced jalapeño.
- Extra Saucy: Add some sour cream, milk or additional broth.
- Spice It Up: Use hot taco seasoning, add a pinch of chili flakes, or stir in a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (like RoTel) for extra heat.
- Tortilla Chip Crunch: Top with crushed tortillas for extra crunch, a fun way to make it your own since it's not part of the classic boxed version.
- Protein Pasta: Swap in a chickpea or lentil-based pasta for an extra protein boost.
- Gluten-Free Pasta: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta, you may need a splash more broth since it can absorb liquid differently.
How to Make Taco Hamburger Helper
This skillet dinner comes together quickly with just a few simple steps and basic ingredients.
Heat a large skillet over medium high and cook beef until no longer pink. Drain if desired then mix in the taco seasoning (I personally do not strain it for additional flavor).
Pour in the broth, the uncooked noodles and bring to a boil. Cover the skillet and lower the heat.
Cook for 10 minutes covered, then uncover, raise the heat to keep a rolling boil and cook until the pasta is your desired tenderness (about 8-10 minutes).
Bring the heat back to low, add cheeses and cook until melted.
Hint: Be sure to cover for the first half, it ensure even cooking with the steam; removing the lid after helps the sauce to thicken.
Recipe Tips
- Stir in Cheese Off Heat: If the cream cheese is cold, add it in first, then shut the heat off for the shredded cheese. This helps the sauce stay smooth and creamy.
- Reserve a Splash of Broth: Add a little at the end if the sauce thickens too much.
You'll also love our Big Mac Quesadilla for a simple, comforting dinner option.
More One Pot Dishes
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm on medium heat with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce.
- Make Ahead: Cook the pasta a touch under al dente so it reheats perfectly later with a little liquid to loosen up.
Serving Suggestions
- Taco Night Menu: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Instant Pot Carnitas, Green Salsa, Southwest Chicken Casserole, Guacamole and Chips and Ceviche.
- Taco Night Cocktail Menu: Pineapple Margarita, Frozen Strawberry Margarita, Margarita Mix and Watermelon Basil Margarita.
Homemade Hamburger Helper Recipe FAQs
Elbows, rotini or penne all hold the sauce well.
It depends on your taco seasoning. Choose mild or spicy based on preference.
Near the end cook just until it reaches your desired thickness and eat right away. As it sits it will keep thickening up, so you can add a splash of broth until it reaches the consistency you like.
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Homemade Hamburger Helper
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Cheese Grater
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef or any meat mixture/fat content
- 1 package taco seasoning 85 grams
- 4 cups beef broth low sodium
- 8 ounces pasta shells dry measurement
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium high and cook beef until no longer pink. Drain if desired then mix in the taco seasoning (I personally do not strain it for additional flavor).
- Pour in the broth, the uncooked noodles and bring to a boil. Cover the skillet and lower the heat. Cook for 10 minutes covered, then uncover, raise the heat to keep a rolling boil and cook until the pasta is your desired tenderness (about 8-10 minutes).
- Bring the heat back to low, add cheeses and cook until melted.
Notes
- Be Sure to Cover: It ensure even cooking with the steam; removing the lid after helps the sauce to thicken.
- Stir in Cheese Off Heat: If the cream cheese is cold, add it in first, then shut the heat off for the shredded cheese. This helps the sauce stay smooth and creamy.
- Reserve a Splash of Broth: Add a little at the end if the sauce thickens too much.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you.
The cheesy sauce is absolutely delicious and the way the ground beef blends with the pasta is delicious. Insanely good!
I am so glad to hear you enjoyed it, Gavin! Thanks for the review.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would. Easy, one-pot, fast, delicious, and kid-approved! This recipe will be going in our regular rotation for busy weeknights.
Thank you!
That is so wonderful to hear- we love a fast recipe too! Thanks for the review.
We love this recipe! It is so fast to come together and very delicious. Perfect for a busy weeknight.