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–+ servings
Large skillet filled with cheesy taco hamburger helper topped with lettuce, sour cream drizzle, diced tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
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Crunchy Taco Hamburger Helper Recipe

A fun, easy one‑pan meal that combines taco flavors with cheesy pasta and a crispy tortilla chip topping. It's a family-favorite.
Course Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 570kcal
Author Deb Clark

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.
    Hand pouring beef broth into a skillet with cooked ground beef, onions, Rotel tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, and taco seasoning.
  • 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.
    Uncooked elbow macaroni added to the simmering beef mixture in a large skillet, surrounded by bowls of cheese and tortilla chips.
  • Stir in 1 ½ cups cheese until melted and creamy.
    Hand using a teal spatula to stir shredded cheddar cheese into the cooked pasta and beef mixture for Crunchy Hamburger Helper.
  • 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.
    Hand sprinkling shredded cheddar cheese over a skillet filled with cheesy beef pasta topped with crushed tortilla chips for Crunchy Hamburger Helper.
  • Top with your fav taco fixings if desired. Serve hot right from the pan!

Notes

Placing the skillet under the broiler for a minute or two (watch it carefully!) browns the chips and cheese nicely!
Storage: Let leftovers cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Warm in the microwave in 30‑second intervals, stirring in between. You can also reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.
Variations: 
  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 968mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 449IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 315mg | Iron: 3mg
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