Vegan Taco Pasta

This Vegan Taco Pasta is made in 30 minutes using just one-pot and simple ingredients. It’s cheesy, hearty, and packed with delicious plant-based protein. Gather your ingredients together and let’s get cooking!

This pasta recipe was born when Jasmine and I went head to head on a cooking challenge where we had to prepare a 30-minute, one-pot recipe focused on pantry staples and simple ingredients. And although Jasmine technically won the challenge with her One-Pot Red Curry Noodle Soup, this taco pasta recipe was still too good not to share. So good in fact it made the Top 20 One-Pot Recipes That You Need to Try. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner to throw together when you’re short on time and looking for a great recipe the whole family will love.

If you love Mexican food, you have to try some of our other popular Mexican-inspired recipes. Try our Pozole Rojo, Vegan Tortilla Soup, Vegan Huevos Rancheros, Vegan Carne Asada Tacos or this epic Vegan Taco Pizza. And Learn How to Make Vegan Tamales – 2 Ways!

Ingredients You’ll Need 

• Onion + garlic – These ingredients are simple, but these pantry staples create the perfect flavor base to build the taco pasta sauce on. If desired, you can also add in some diced bell peppers for additional veggies!
• Vegan Ground Beef – We like to use Beyond Beef, but you can use any vegan ground beef or frozen crumbles you have in your fridge or freezer. If you’d like to make this taco pasta a bit healthier, swap the store-bought vegan beef for our Walnut Taco Meat, Lentil Walnut Taco Meat, or Tofu Taco Meat. If opting for a homemade version, completely cook and cool it before using – this will help prevent it from becoming mushy when simmering.
• Taco Seasoning – To make things quick and easy, we opted for a store-bought packet of taco seasoning. Depending on your spice preference, use either mild or spicy taco seasoning. Or, make your own homemade taco seasoning using simple spices such as chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and salt. If you are gluten-free, make sure to use a gluten-free option. Taco seasonings are sometimes made with flour to prevent caking.
• Salsa – We like to use mild salsa, but you can use hot salsa or any type of salsa you prefer. Our Easy Restaurant-Style Salsa would be amazing here!
• Corn – We typically opt for frozen corn since it’s almost always in our freezer, but you can also use a can of drained and rinsed sweet corn, fire-roasted corn, or fresh corn. If using fresh corn, learn how to grill corn in the husk for the best flavor.
• Pasta – For best results, we recommend using a short cut pasta. We used fusilli pasta, but rotini pasta, shells or elbow macaroni would also be a great choice. And if necessary, opt for a gluten-free pasta like brown rice pasta or chickpea pasta.
• Beans – We used black beans for this vegan taco pasta, but pinto beans or even kidney beans will work well. Avoid beans like lima beans or chickpeas – these are better suited for recipes like Vegan Egg Fried Rice and Chickpea Salad Lunch Wraps
• Taco Sauce – Taco sauce adds a boost of flavor and honestly takes this vegetarian taco pasta dish to the next level. Opt for spicy or mild; there’s no wrong answer!
• Vegan Cheese Shreds – We like to use either vegan cheddar style shreds, or Follow Your Heart’s fiesta-style blend for this vegan taco pasta recipe. If you prefer not to add cheese, simply leave it out or try using our homemade Vegan Nacho Cheese instead.

Equipment Needed

• Medium or large pot with tight fitting lid
• Spatula or wooden spoon

How to Make Vegan Taco Pasta

1. Cook the onions and garlic. Place a medium or large pot over medium heat. Once warm, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat until warm. Add in the onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and the onions are softened and lightly translucent.
2. Brown the vegan beef. Add in the vegan ground beef and taco seasoning and stir to combine. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the vegan beef is browned and lightly crispy on the edges.
3. Add remaining ingredients (except cheese). Add in the vegetable broth, salsa, black beans, taco sauce, and frozen corn. Stir well, then add in the uncooked pasta.
4. Cook the pasta. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and cover. Let simmer for 10-13 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente.
5. Stir in vegan cheese. Add in the vegan cheese and stir until melted and creamy.
6. Serve. Top your vegan taco pasta with additional toppings of your choice and enjoy while warm and creamy!

Serving Suggestions 

This hearty one pot taco pasta is filling enough to be served alone for a delicious lunch or dinner main. We love to serve it with cubed avocado, vegan sour cream, fresh tomatoes, and fresh cilantro. You could also add toppings like diced red onion, black olives, sliced jalapeños, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Don’t be afraid to make this pasta your own!

You also can’t go wrong with serving a side of Homemade Guacamole and Tortilla Chips. And while were at it, why not Classic Margaritas too?!

Storage Instructions

As with most pasta recipes, this Easy Vegan Taco Pasta will keep for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Freezing is not recommended – the pasta is likely to become mushy and potentially grainy in texture upon thawing.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stove in a pot or skillet until warmed through. If the creamy sauce has thickened considerably, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to help loosen things back up.

More One-Pot Vegan Pasta Recipes You May Enjoy:

• One-Pot Vegan Hamburger Helper (Cheeseburger Pasta) – just like the classic version you grew up with, but vegan!
• 15-Minute One-Pot Pasta – the ultimate fuss-free pasta recipe that’s ready in just 15 minutes.
• One-Pot Vegan Mac and Cheese – made with just 3 easy ingredients!
• One-Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff – another 30-minute pasta that’s creamy and delicious!
• One-Pot 5-Ingredient Hummus Pasta – the perfect dish when you’re low on ingredients but don’t have time for a trip to the grocery store!

Make sure you tag us on Instagram @sweetsimplevegan and @consciouschris and hashtag #sweetsimplevegan if you recreate any of our recipes, we love to see your photos!

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Nutrition facts label provided by Nutri Fox.

Disclaimer: The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional’s advice. This page may contain affiliate links, which simply means that we earn a commission if you purchase through those links, but your price remains the same. Thank you for supporting Sweet Simple Vegan!