Description
Creamy one pot taco pasta delivers Mexican-inspired comfort with zesty flavors and hearty ingredients. Cheese-covered goodness combines ground beef, pasta, and bold seasonings for a quick weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2¼ cups low sodium beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 3 cups uncooked pasta (lumaconi, shellbows, macaroni, or small shells)
Instructions
- Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, drizzling oil to coat the surface.
- Sauté diced onions and vibrant red bell peppers for 2-3 minutes, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic flavors.
- Introduce ground beef with taco seasoning, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and cumin. Crumble and brown the meat thoroughly, eliminating any excess grease.
- Pour in beef broth, rich heavy cream, and robust tomato sauce, creating a luxurious liquid base. Gently bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Incorporate uncooked pasta, stirring to ensure even distribution. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low, allowing pasta to cook for approximately 10 minutes until perfectly tender.
- Uncover and fold in sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese melts completely and forms a creamy, velvety sauce.
- Perform a final flavor assessment, adjusting seasonings if desired. Serve the dish immediately while piping hot and at peak deliciousness.
Notes
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of this dish that still packs incredible flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe completely celiac-friendly without compromising the delicious taco-inspired taste profile.
- Customize heat levels by selecting mild, medium, or spicy taco seasoning, giving everyone control over their preferred spice intensity.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process, ensuring smooth and stress-free meal preparation in just one skillet.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 531 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 381 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 89 mg