36 Taco-Inspired Recipes That Don’t Call for Tortillas

36 Taco-Inspired Recipes That Don’t Call for Tortillas

Read Time: 16 mins

36 Taco-Inspired Recipes That Don’t Call for Tortillas2/36 Beef Taco Chili 2 Reviews Beef Taco Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 25 min Servings 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is one of my husband’s absolute favorite dishes. It was voted best chili at our county’s autumn harvest festival. If you like less broth, use just 1-3/4 cups water and 1-1/2 tsp. bouillon. —Dana Beery, Ione, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 337 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 1657mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 10g fiber), 23g

My family loves the taste of tacos, but I dislike the mess!

protein. 3/36 Taco Burgers 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco Burgers Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves the taste of tacos, but I dislike the mess! So I developed these burgers as a tasty but tidy alternative.—Linda Logan, Warren, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 burger: 418 calories, 24g fat (11g saturated fat), 135mg cholesterol, 903mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. 4/36 Taco Pasta Salad 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Grace Natoli Sheldon For Taste of Home Total

Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My family loves this savory taco pasta salad. Serve taco or corn chips on the side, and you have a complete meal. —Gert Rosenau, Pewaukee, WI Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 624 calories, 30g fat (12g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 1454mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 5/36 Taco Pizza 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 2 pizzas (8 pieces each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Convenient prebaked crust makes this tasty taco pizza as easy

It’s a great recipe, especially if you have teenagers

as can be. It’s a great recipe, especially if you have teenagers. I keep the ingredients on hand so that we can whip up this filling meal anytime. —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces: 310 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 747mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. 6/36 Taco Mac and Cheese 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Saucy Taco Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This zesty taco mac and cheese is

just as yummy the next day

just as yummy the next day. Simply warm it up and garnish with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and cheese. —JoLynn Fribley, Nokomis, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 465 calories, 20g fat (11g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 1413mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 7/36 Taco Twist Soup 22 Reviews Contest Winner Taco Twist Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The fun, family-friendly twist in this taco soup is the spiral pasta. I lightened this soup by substituting black beans for ground beef.

Make it vegetarian by using smashed black beans instead of ground beef

—Colleen Zertler, Menomonie, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 176 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1044mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein. 8/36 Taco Baked Potatoes 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taco Baked Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Stuffed with your favorite fixings, this baked potato recipe is an easy meal in one. Make it vegetarian by using smashed black beans instead of ground beef. —Anne Ormond, Dover, New Hampshire Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed potato: 484 calories, 10g fat

This recipe is like a deep-dish skillet pizza

(4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 8g fiber), 29g protein. 9/36 Taco Skillet Pizza with Cornbread Crust 1 Review Taco Skillet Pizza with Cornbread Crust Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Our family loves taco pizza, and I have made so many versions of it. This recipe is like a deep-dish skillet pizza. It is a hearty meal and can be served straight out of the pan. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 wedge: 329 calories, 14g fat (6g

It’s become a regular when we’re entertaining

saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1052mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein. 10/36 Taco Bowls 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ALEJANDRO MONFORT FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 7 hours 15 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love this delicious taco-style dish because of its super simple prep. Each serving is so easy to customize to everyone’s individual tastes thanks to the toppings. It’s become a regular when we’re entertaining. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 389 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 550mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (4g

sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein

sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 11/36 Taco Salad 16 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Ground Beef Taco Salad Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Every time I have to bring a dish to a party, friends ask for my taco salad. Even players on my son’s football team ask for it. —Lori Buntrock, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1-2/3 cups: 416 calories, 27g fat (12g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (7g

sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein

sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. 12/36 Taco Pinwheels 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco Pinwheels Recipe photo by Nicole Perry for Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 3 dozen pinwheels Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These pinwheels come together quickly when you start with leftover taco meat. They make an appealing party appetizer served with salsa, or a fun lunch option with a salad on the side. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 pinwheel: 51 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 84mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. 13/36 Taco

Save time and money with this stovetop supper the whole family will love

Skillet 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Beef Taco Skillet Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Busy day? Save time and money with this stovetop supper the whole family will love. It calls for handy convenience products, so it can be on the table in minutes. —Kelly Roder, Fairfax, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 415 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 82mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein. 14/36 Taco Stuffed Shells 34 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taco

Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 50

Stuffed Shells Recipe photo by Christine Ma for Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a kid-friendly dish so flavorful and fun, nobody is likely to guess that it’s also lower in fat. It’s a great family supper for busy weeknights! —Anne Thomsen, Westchester, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3 stuffed shells: 384 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 665mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 33g protein. 15/36 Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheesy Chicken Taco Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Total Time 4 hours 25 min Servings 8 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Total Time 4 hours 25 min Servings 8 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We’re huge college football fans (go Irish!), and my chicken taco dip hasn’t missed a season opener in many years. A slow cooker keeps the dip warm for the whole game—if it lasts that long! —Deanna Garretson, Yucaipa, California Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup dip: 82 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 238mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. 16/36 Deep-Dish Beef ‘n’ Bean Taco Pizza 12 Reviews Deep-Dish Beef ‘n’ Bean Taco Pizza Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My whole family enjoys this dish that tastes like a taco and looks like a deep-dish pizza. The thick tasty crust can handle lots of toppings, so load it up for a bright, fun meal. —Nancy Circle, Perkins, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 469 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 1050mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 23g protein. 17/36 Instant Pot Taco Pasta 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: This dish is a welcome change from boring taco Tuesday

the Recipe Creator: This dish is a welcome change from boring taco Tuesday. I’ve taken all the flavors of tacos and created an easy pasta dish. Kids love the taste, and I love how quick and easy it is to put together in the electric pressure cooker. To lighten things up, use ground turkey instead of the beef. — Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 2 cups: 598 calories, 25g fat (11g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 1845mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 40g protein. 18/36 Homemade Taco Seasoning 28 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

Taco Skillet 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Beef Taco Skillet Recipe photo by Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Busy day?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

Ground Beef Taco Dip 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ground Beef Taco Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 24 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: What’s a football party without taco dip?

Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.

⭐ Expert Tips

  • Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

  • Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

  • Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

  • Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

  • Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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