Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet

Ok where are all my Crazy Busy Mama’s? If you answered yes, then this Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet meal that you can throw together in 15 minutes is for you!

Best news is it is quick, simple, and a family-approved meal to help take the stress out of dinner. Because let’s be honest, life gets crazy busy- (can I get an amen?), but dinner doesn’t have to be.

I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite go-to meals: Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet. It’s hearty, flavorful, and on the table in just 15 minutes. Yep, you read that right – 15 minutes from stovetop to table. That’s less time than it takes to run through the drive-thru, and trust me, it’s way more satisfying. I also have a few other recipes similar to this you have to try like this TACO PASTA or even this Southwest Chicken Pasta Bake. Both of these will also be a hit for your family and fit in perfectly with your crazy busy lifestyle.

And here’s the best part – if you’ve got leftover taco meat hanging out in your fridge, this dish comes together even faster. That’s what I call a win for us Crazy Busy Mamas!

That’s what I did tonight, and my kids never knew that I was using up leftovers and they scarfed it down! Talk about a crazy busy mama win in so many areas, including saving money!

& don’t judge for those paper plates…this Crazy Busy Mama is just doing the best she knows in this moment of life!

Ingredients for Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet

How to make Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet: ingredients you need!

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1/3 cup white shoepeg corn
• 7 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
• 10 oz Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
• 32 oz beef broth
• 16 oz medium shell pasta
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)

Garnish:

1/2 cup sliced green onions

Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet: Video Tutorial

For those of you who would love a visual step-by-step tutorial here is one for you!

How to Make Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet

How to make Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet : a step by step guide

Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet or deep sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.

Season It Up: Stir in taco seasoning and let it cook with the beef for 1–2 minutes to combine the spices.

Add Veggies & Flavor: Mix in the corn, black beans, and Rotel. Stir to combine.

Cook the Pasta: Pour in the beef broth and add the pasta shells. Stir well, making sure pasta is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

Cheesy Finish: Once the pasta is cooked, sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

Cover and let sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts.

Garnish & Serve: Top with sliced green onions before serving.

Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet: SIDE IDEA

I love to do a bagged salad and or fresh fruit with this Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet.

Crazy Busy Mama Tip

When cooking ground beef, I always drain the grease – but sometimes there’s still just a little too much hanging around. My quick hack? Take a couple of paper towels, fold them up, and use your tongs to carefully press them into the skillet after draining. The towels soak up the extra grease in seconds! Less grease = lighter, tastier skillet dinner.

Simple tip, but it makes a big difference – and I know my fellow busy mamas love anything that makes life in the kitchen a little easier.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mama, If you give this recipe a try and love it, I’d be thrilled if you could leave a comment and a 5-star rating below! Your feedback not only makes my day but also helps me understand what kinds of recipes you’d like to see more of.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

A New Normal at the Table

If you’ve been following along on my journey, you know life looks a little different these days. In the picture I’ll be sharing on this post, you’ll see me with Ella, Fisher, and Lily. This is our new normal. After losing Quintin, and now with Kale off at college, I’ve been learning – sometimes stumbling – through what it means to keep showing up at the table with my kids.

It’s not always easy, but I’m choosing to be intentional. Meals like this help me do that. They’re quick and simple, so I don’t get overwhelmed in the kitchen, and they allow me to focus on what really matters – the faces sitting around the table with me.

If you’re in a season where life feels flipped upside down, I want to encourage you, mama: lean into the table. Make it a priority to reclaim it, no matter how messy or imperfect it feels. These are the moments our kids will carry with them forever.

That’s why I use the hashtag #ReclaimTheTable – it’s my reminder (and hopefully yours too) to fight for those family moments that matter.

My Mission: Reclaim the Table

If you’ve been here a while, you already know my mission is simple: to bring families back to the dinner table. It’s where conversations happen, where laughter is shared, and where healing can take root.

I wrote about this more deeply in my mission blog about #ReclaimTheTable HERE– and I’d love for you to check it out if you haven’t yet. Every recipe I share here, including this Southwest Taco Pasta Skillet, is part of that mission. Quick meals aren’t just about convenience; they’re about creating margin in our lives for the people who matter most.

Join the Crazy Busy Mama Meal Plan

If you’re nodding along right now and thinking, Yes please… I need more quick dinners like this in my life, then friend, you’ll want to check out my Crazy Busy Mama Meal Plan.

It’s designed with YOU in mind – the mama who wants to take the stress out of dinner, simplify her evenings, and reclaim her family table without spending hours planning or cooking.

When you join, you’ll get:

• A done-for-you meal plan
• Quick & easy family recipes
• Shopping Lists that coordinate with menus too!

Because you don’t have to do this alone – we’re in it together. Let’s reclaim the table, one meal at a time.

More Easy Recipes

If you love this Southwest Taco Skillet be sure to check out these other easy Cheesy Ranch Taco Pasta recipes that will add fun and flavor to every meal.

Love This Recipe? Wait Until You See What’s in My Crazy Busy Mama Cookbooks!

You’ll never stress over the “what’s to eat” question again! Because they’re filled with quick easy recipes that you’ll whole family will love (And they may even help you make). 

From easy weeknight dinners to crave-worthy desserts, my cookbooks are packed with simple, delicious recipes and tips to save your sanity. It’s like having me right there in your kitchen, guiding you through stress-free meals your family will rave about.

Ready to reclaim your mealtime mojo? Grab a Crazy Busy Mama Cookbook now and let’s cook up some magic together!

And P.S. I have a stress free monthly meal planning service (with grocery lists included) for less than the cost of a cup of coffee! You get recipes and grocery lists delivered right to your inbox weekly! You can check it out here!

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