Slow Cooker Cheesy Taco Pasta

wooden spoon scooping taco pasta from a crockpot.

5 from 2 votes

Slow cooker taco pasta is everything you love about pasta and tacos combined into one saucy, cheesy, taco-seasoned beefy dish loaded with bell peppers, black beans, corn, and salsa!

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 15

Servings servings

Author Melissa Williams

Equipment

Slow Cooker

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground sirloin I prefer 91/3
salt & pepper to taste
3 Tablespoons taco seasoning homemade or 1 packet
1 medium red bell pepper diced
16 ounces salsa
11 ounce fiesta corn
15 ounce black beans drained & rinsed
4 cups beef broth or water
16 ounces medium shells
1 cup shredded cheddar plus more for topping
scallions, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, additional cheese for topping

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef, seasoning with salt and pepper, and browning while breaking apart.
1 pound lean ground sirloin, salt & pepper
Once browned, add the ground beef to the basin of a 6 quart slow cooker.
Add in the taco seasoning, diced bell pepper, salsa, corn, black beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
3 Tablespoons taco seasoning, 1 medium red bell pepper, 16 ounces salsa, 11 ounce fiesta corn, 15 ounce black beans, 4 cups beef broth
Cover and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours.
30 minutes before cook time in up, stir in the uncooked pasta, checking for doneness at 10 minutes and then at 20 minutes.
16 ounces medium shells
Once the pasta is tender, stir in the shredded cheese and let melt.
1 cup shredded cheddar
Serve with your favorite toppings.

Video

Notes

I prefer to use a lean ground sirloin (93/7 or 91/9). If using a fattier blend (80/20), you may need to drain off any grease. Ground turkey or chicken can also be used.
Homemade taco seasoning or 1 packet of store bought can be used.
I like fiesta corn that has peppers in it, but regular canned corn, or frozen corn, can be used.
Black beans are optional but add more protein. If you want a meatless option, add two cans of black beans and skip the ground beef.
Homemade salsa or your favorite jarred will work fine. If you don't have any on hand, diced tomatoes and/or Rotel will work.
Beef broth, chicken broth, water, or a combination will work for the liquid, just total 4 cups.
I like to use medium shells as the pasta but any short pasta will work.
Start checking the pasta for doneness after 10 minutes since every slow cooker is different. If it overcooks, it can get mushy.
I don't recommend freezing this one as the pasta can change texture, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Top with your favorite toppings - scallions, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, more shredded cheese, etc.

Every slow cooker runs differently. Times given are a general recommendation and should be tested in your own slow cooker and adjusted as needed.

Nutrition