Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Beef Taco Pasta Skillet
Beef Taco Pasta Skillet brings together ground beef, onion, and green bell pepper. Some of the finishing happens after the pan comes off the heat. The quick notes will help you get the small jobs lined up before you start.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 10 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Beef
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Preparation & total time
- Quick dinners · Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 30 minutes or less
- Budget (estimated)
- Low cost
- Dish type
- Pasta · Tacos
A few quick notes
1. Have the finishing ingredients ready
Some of the finishing happens after the pan comes off the heat. Have those ingredients ready and follow that order, rather than adding everything at the beginning.
2. Keep the lid step in mind
Have the lid or covering ready before you need it. Follow the covered and uncovered parts of the method in their own order, especially when the finish changes partway through.
3. Set out the first ingredients
Look through the first cooking step and have its ingredients ready before you begin. It is easier to give the pan your attention when you are not still looking for the next item.
Get to know the ingredients
Ground beef
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Brown beef, onion and garlic until no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes.
Onion
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Brown beef, onion and garlic until no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes.
Green bell pepper
Look at how this ingredient comes into the method: Add McCormick® Taco Seasoning Mix, green pepper, 2 cups of the water, salsa, tomato sauce and macaroni.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 5 steps completeMake room for Beef Taco Pasta Skillet
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Keep the last little job in mind
The recipe finishes with this step: Garnish as desired with tomatoes, jalapenos, sour cream and green onion. Set out what you need for that finish before the cooking gets busy.
A little more help as you go
Give the simmer its place
Keep the simmering stage in the sequence when planning the meal. Follow the heat and texture checks in that step rather than rushing straight to the finish.
Set out the finishing ingredient
Keep the finishing ingredient within reach while the main preparation is going on. Add it at the step in the method so the last job is easy to complete.
Mix the sauce before its turn
Give the sauce mixture its own preparation step. Have it ready before the recipe calls for it in the pan or bowl, so you can keep moving through the method.
A few questions you might have
What should I get ready before starting?
Read the first preparation step before you get going: Brown beef, onion and garlic until no pink remains, about 5-6 minutes.
Which little step is worth remembering?
Some of the finishing happens after the pan comes off the heat. Have those ingredients ready and follow that order, rather than adding everything at the beginning.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
Keep this part of the method in view: Cover and simmer over medium-low heat stirring occasionally 20 minutes or just until pasta is tender adding remaining water as needed.
Is there another preparation step to plan for?
Keep the simmering stage in the sequence when planning the meal. Follow the heat and texture checks in that step rather than rushing straight to the finish.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: Spend With Pennies. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
View saved recipe card
Fixed portions in this saved image. Use the recipe above for current ingredients and serving amounts.
Open full-size card ↗
