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Creamy Taco Ranch Ground Beef Pasta Skillet - A Quick One Pot Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend works well)
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (from a packet or homemade)
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch dressing mix
  • 8 ounces dried pasta (rotini, shells, or elbow macaroni are great choices)
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup milk (whole milk or 2% work best)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, or sour cream

Method
 

  1. Brown the beef. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it is browned and crumbled. Drain off any excess fat.
  2. Add aromatics. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it smells fragrant.
  3. Season the meat. Sprinkle the taco seasoning and ranch dressing mix over the beef. Stir everything together so the seasoning coats the meat evenly.
  4. Add liquids and pasta. Pour in the beef broth, water, and milk. Scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Add the dried pasta and stir well.
  5. Simmer. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes. Stir it once or twice so the pasta does not stick.
  6. Add the cream cheese. Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, add the cubed cream cheese. Stir until the cream cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes creamy.
  7. Finish with cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the top. Cover the skillet again and remove it from the heat. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes so the cheese melts.
  8. Serve. Stir the melted cheese into the pasta. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.