If you're looking for an easy, high protein dinner the whole family will love, this Healthy Taco Pasta is the perfect recipe. Made with lean ground beef, chickpea pasta, black beans, tomatoes, and a creamy cottage cheese sauce, this cheesy taco pasta is packed with protein, fiber, and flavor. It's like a healthier homemade hamburger helper but made with simple ingredients and extra nutrition.
This pasta dish is perfect for a busy weeknight, meal prep, or one of your new favorite meals when you want something comforting but still balanced and nutritious.
If you enjoy this recipe be sure to look at my other easy weeknight dinners such as my easy and healthy garlic pizza toast, easy honey lime chicken bowls with mango salsa, easy asian style meatballs with broccoli, or my Easy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl With Tzatziki.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- High protein and high fiber meal
- Easy one pan dinner
- Great for meal prep
- Made with simple ingredients
- Healthier version of hamburger helper
- Kid-friendly and family-friendly
- Ready in about 25 minutes
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Ingredients
- Lean ground beef - Adds protein and classic taco meat flavor.
- Chickpea pasta - Adds fiber and extra protein compared to regular pasta.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes - Adds flavor and sauce for the pasta dish.
- Black beans - Adds fiber, protein, and makes the meal more filling.
- Taco seasoning - Adds taco flavor and seasoning to the dish.
- Cottage cheese - Blended to create a creamy, high protein sauce.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - Adds cheesy flavor to the sauce.
- Milk - Helps thin the sauce and create a creamy consistency.
- Garlic powder - Adds extra flavor to the cheese sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Cook Pasta : Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef for 7-8 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in taco seasoning.
- Add Tomatoes and Beans: Add diced tomatoes and black beans to the pan. Mix and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a blender, combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: Pour the creamy mixture into the pan and stir to combine. Add cooked pasta shells and mix until everything is well coated and heated through
- Step 6: Assemble and serve!
Substitutions
- Ground beef: Swap for ground turkey, ground chicken, or another ground meat.
- Chickpea pasta: Use whole wheat pasta, regular pasta, or gluten-free pasta.
- Black beans: Substitute pinto beans or kidney beans.
- Cottage cheese: Substitute Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese.
- Cheddar cheese: Use Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or Mexican blend cheese.
- Taco seasoning: Use homemade taco seasoning instead of store-bought taco seasoning.
- Gluten-Free: Use chickpea pasta or certified gluten-free pasta and gluten-free taco seasoning.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cheese, dairy-free milk, and dairy-free yogurt instead of cottage cheese.
Variations
- Extra Veggie Taco Pasta - Add bell peppers, onions, corn, or zucchini.
- Spicy Taco Pasta - Add hot sauce, chili flakes, or spicy taco seasoning.
- Creamier Pasta - Add sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
- One Pot Meal - Cook everything in a Dutch oven or large pot.
- Low Carb Option - Use low carb pasta or serve taco meat over cauliflower rice.
- High Protein Version - Add extra cottage cheese or Greek yogurt.
- Taco Pasta Bake - Transfer to a baking dish, add cheese on top, and bake until melted.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Pot for pasta
- Blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
- Knife and cutting board
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat for 3-4 minutes. Add a splash of milk if the pasta thickens.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and reheats well for lunches throughout the week.
Christinas Dietitian Tip
This healthy taco pasta is a balanced meal with protein from ground beef, cottage cheese, and chickpea pasta, fiber from black beans and tomatoes, and carbohydrates for energy. Using chickpea pasta is a great way to increase fiber and protein compared to regular pasta, which helps keep you full longer and supports stable blood sugar. Adding extra veggies like bell peppers or onions is an easy way to add more nutrients to this meal.
FAQ
Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Replace the ground beef with lentils, plant-based ground meat, or extra beans and vegetables.
Yes, you can freeze taco pasta in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
Replace the ground beef with lentils, plant-based ground meat, or extra beans and vegetables.
Pasta
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Meal Prep
Meal prep friendly recipes:
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Healthy Taco Pasta (High Protein & High Fiber)
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Pot for pasta
- blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Colander
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef grass-fed if preferred
- 1 (8 oz) Box chickpea shell pasta such as Banza
- 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (15.5 oz) can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 packet mild taco seasoning
- 1 5.5 oz container cottage cheese I like good culture
- ⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup 2% milk such as Fairlife
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook Pasta- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Ground Meat-In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef for 7-8 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess grease if needed. Stir in taco seasoning.
- Add Tomatoes and Beans-Add diced tomatoes and black beans to the pan. Mix and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Make the Creamy Sauce-In a blender, combine cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, milk, and garlic powder. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything-Pour the creamy mixture into the pan and stir to combine. Add cooked pasta shells and mix until everything is well coated and heated through.
- Serve-Serve warm with optional toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro, or avocado.
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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