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10 Budget-Friendly Recipes Using Taco Seasoning (That aren’t tacos)

You can make with taco seasoning than just tacos. Get inspired with this list of recipes using taco seasoning (that aren’t tacos).

For more ideas of what to cook, check out all of our recipes.

A package of taco seasoning with the words "Budget-Friendly Recipes Using Taco Seasoning (that aren't tacos)" digitally written on top.

I love tacos. We make them with ground turkey so it’s a little healthier, but I use boxes of shells because I’m too lazy to make homemade taco shell every single time.

I do, sometimes, make my own seasoning, which leaves me with the taco seasoning packets from the box. If you have some too, you’ll love this round up of recipes using taco seasoning that aren’t tacos.

Now, if you don’t have leftover taco seasoning from taco shell packages lying around, no worries. You can actually buy taco seasoning in a packet, by itself, in the store. Which is what I do a lot for these recipes.

These aren’t taco recipes, but they are taco-esque. I mean, they have taco seasoning in them, so they’re gonna remind you of tacos even if they’re not tacos.

A plate of tacos with lettuce, tomato, and cheese on top and the words "5+ Taco Recipes For Cinco De Mayo" digitally written on top.

If you’re hungry for actual tacos now, don’t worry. We have a great list of Taco Recipes that you can check out and make with your taco seasoning instead.

The Ultimate List Of Recipes Using Taco Seasoning … That Aren’t Tacos

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This list is filled with all the recipes using taco seasoning that we currently have on Drugstore Divas. As we add more, we’ll update this list. So, be sure to bookmark it, pin it, save it however you do, and come back to it later to see what we’ve added.

A tortilla chip coming out of bean dip with the words "Easy Cheesy Refried Bean Dip" digitally written on top.

Easy Cheesy Refried Bean Dip

Blow your guests away with this Easy Cheesy Refried Bean Dip. You dump all the ingredients, including a full packet of taco seasoning, into a casserole dish, stir, and bake.

The result is the easiest and most delicious bean dip recipe you’ve ever made.

A taco burger with tater tots and the words "Grilled Taco Burgers" digitally written on top.

Grilled Taco Burgers

A packet of taco seasoning is added to ground beef to season the meat for these Grilled Taco Burgers. These burgers actually do taste like tacos, but in burger form. So they hold up better and aren’t crumbling and falling apart onto your plate while still satisfying your craving for tacos.

Serve them with a dollop of salsa and sour cream, just like you would serve a traditional taco.

Loaded Beef Nachos in a bowl.

Loaded Beef Nachos

Nachos are such a fun dinner idea. It’s kind of a way to play with your food without really playing with it. And, they’re taco-esque because Loaded Beef Nachos are basically deconstructed tacos.

When you’re cooking the beef, you add a packet of taco seasoning to season the meat. That gives these nachos the taste of tacos even though, technically, they’re not tacos.

Chicken, corn, tomatoes, and beans on top of rice in a bowl with the words "Chicken Burrito Bowl" digitally written above it.

Chicken Burrito Bowl

This Chicken Burrito Bowl is so fun to serve for dinner. Each element is separate in the bowl, so it just looks pretty.

Chicken is cooked in a pan with taco seasoning, then added to a bowl with onions, corn, pinto beans, and rice. Top it with a dollop of homemade salsa in the center before serving, and you have a restaurant looking dish made at home.

A bowl of slow cooker taco soup.

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Slow cooker meals are usually really hands off. This Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe breaks that rule. Not too much, but it’s made with ground chicken and you have to cook that before adding it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.

Once you get everything in the slow cooker, top it with a packet of taco seasoning and let it cook four hours on high (or eight on low).

A lasagna with sour cream on top on a plate with the words "Taco Lasagna" digitally written under it.

Taco Lasagna

Taco Lasagna is such a fun taco-ish recipe. It’s a real combination of tacos and lasagna, hence the name. It uses lasagna noodles, just like a traditional lasagna, but it has the flavoring of tacos thanks to the taco seasoning.

Some of the ingredients in the recipe, like the cheese and meat, overlap between lasagna and tacos, so it is a really great crossover.

A deconstructed taco on a plate with the words "Taco Pie with Crescent Rolls" digitally written on top.

Taco Pie With Crescent Rolls

This Taco Pie With Crescent Rolls is our current favorite on the list. It’s so, so good. So if you made it this far down the list, you’re in luck because this recipe is delicious.

Ground meat is cooked with onions and taco seasoning, then used as a layer in the taco pie. The bottom of the Taco Pie is made from crescent rolls, which gives it an incredible flaky crust with taco toppings on top.

A spoon picking up some taco pasta salad.

Vegan Taco Pasta Salad

This Vegan Taco Pasta Salad is the biggest hit at backyard barbecues when I bring it. The recipe makes a ton, which is great because people will inhale it. And it’s vegan by accident, not on purpose, so it’s good for everyone.

The taco seasoning is added in a bowl with cooked pasta, olives, tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions. It’s tossed, tossed again with dressing, and then tortilla chips are added right before serving.

Taco Rice Casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner to satisfy the whole family. Get the recipe at www.drugstoredivas.net.

Taco Rice Casserole

Before I started making Taco Pie, this Taco Rice Casserole was our go to taco-but-not-taco recipe.

The ground meat is cooked with taco seasoning, then added to a casserole pan with rice, plus various other taco ingredients (beans, cheese, tomatoes, etc.) and cream of mushroom soup (which gives it so much flavor). It’s baked in the oven and dinner is done.

Wonton Taco Cups.

Wonton Taco Cups

If you’re having a party, this Wonton Taco Cups recipe is the one for you. Meat is mixed with taco seasoning, then dropped in wonton wrappers. Bake them, top with your favorite taco toppings, and set them out.

What’s great is that this is basically individualized taco dip, so everyone can grab one and enjoy it rather than having people dip into a community bowl.

Taco Seasoning: Frequently Asked Questions

What’s in taco seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, pepper, and salt.

Can you make homemade taco seasoning?

You absolutely can make homemade taco seasoning. You can make it in bulk and store it in an airtight jar in a cabinet or you can make it in recipe-sized portions if you don’t need it frequently.

What can I used if I don’t have taco seasoning?

If you don’t have taco seasoning, and you don’t have the spices in your cabinet to make taco seasoning, you can substitute Adobo seasoning or Sazon seasoning.

Adobo seasoning has similar ingredients to taco seasoning, just without the chili powder, cumin, and paprika. It’s more of an all purpose seasoning where taco seasoning is pretty distinct in its flavor. We use Adobo in a bunch of our recipes like our Fiesta Chicken Quesadillas and Homemade Home Fries.

Sazon seasoning is a flavorful seasoning with a savory taste. It’s not spicy, but has a lot of flavor. We use this in our Pulled Chicken Nachos.

Both would be good substitutes if you don’t have taco seasoning handy.

Which of these recipes using taco seasoning are you going to make first?