This Homemade Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper is a quick, one-pan meal that comes together in about 30 minutes. It's beefy, cheesy, and full of crunchy goodness. This one is a guaranteed family favorite!
This is one of those dinners I accidentally created on a weeknight when we were tired, hungry, and had a few random ingredients staring back at me from the pantry. And it totally hit the spot. Everyone falls in love with this recipe after the first bite. The flavors are spot on!
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What makes this recipe irresistible
With this recipe, Hamburger Helper gets a serious glow-up with fresher ingredients, way more flavor, and a little crunch that takes it over the top. It's the nostalgic boxed dinner, just grown up and way better!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card below for the exact measurements for this recipe.
Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning or 2 tablespoons homemade
- 10 ounce can RoTel tomatoes or diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 10.5 ounce can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni or small pasta of choice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 big handfuls of crushed tortilla chips or corn chips About 2 cups. I've used Doritos, Tostios and Fritos. All are delicious!
Instructions
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in taco seasoning, RoTel, soup, and beef broth. Mix well.
- Add the uncooked pasta. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15-18 minutes until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally so the pasta doesn't stick.
- Stir in 1 ½ cups cheese until melted and creamy.
- Sprinkle crushed chips over the skillet and scatter the remaining cheese on top. *Cover for 2-3 minutes so the cheese melts over the crunchy topping.
- Top with your fav taco fixings if desired. Serve hot right from the pan!
Notes
- Swap out the beef or ground turkey and chicken.
- Spicy version - Add extra chopped jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Different chips. -Use flavored chips. I like Nacho Cheese Doritos to boost the cheesy flavor.
- Change the pasta - Use rotini, shells, or even gluten‑free pasta. Whatever you have on hand is just fine.
- Creamier option -Stir in a bit of sour cream or cream cheese just before serving.
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Nutrition
Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)
Add a little more broth, cover, and cook a few more minutes until the pasta is done. Add the broth in small amounts or ¼ cup at a time until you achieve the desired tenderness.
Yes, use a larger pot or Dutch oven and extend cook time slightly. Just make sure pasta is well submerged in liquid.
I really prefer the flavor of the cream of chicken or mushroom. However, you can change it up and use cream of celery, or even cheddar cheese soup if desired.
Deb's top tip
Wait until the very end to add the chips so they stay crunchy and watch closely if broiling because the chips can go from toasty to burnt quickly.
More Taco Recipes
Does your family enjoy tacos as much as Dan and I do? If so, then you don't want to miss this Hash Brown Taco Casserole, Puff Pastry Tacos, or Cheesy Taco Casserole. They are all great meals for busy nights!
Serving suggestions
I love to pair taco pasta with a fresh green salad or Spanish rice. Finish it off with a dollop of guacamole or sour cream for even more creaminess.
If you want to add something extra special, add a side of Mexican street corn, or Velveeta cheese dip and chips. You can't go wrong with any of your favorite side dishes with this meal.
Wrapping it up
If you're craving something easy, cheesy, and totally satisfying, this taco pasta skillet is for you. It's cozy comfort food with a Tex-Mex twist, and once you try that chip topping, there's no going back. If you make it, don't forget to leave a comment or tag me in your pics. I'd love to see and hear about your version!
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