Description
Hearty one pot taco pasta delight combines zesty Mexican spices with creamy pasta for a quick family meal. Simple ingredients and minimal cleanup make this dish a weeknight winner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or 12 oz Impossible Meat for a plant-based version)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 8 oz elbow pasta
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning or 1 (1-oz) packet taco seasoning
- 1 (4-oz) can chopped green chilis
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
- Salt, as needed
- Green onions
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prep Foundational Layer: Heat a large pot over medium-high flame, coating the bottom with olive oil to create a flavorful cooking surface.
- Aromatics Development: Sauté onions and bell peppers until they soften and release their fragrant essence, establishing a rich flavor base.
- Protein Integration: Add ground beef, crumbling and browning thoroughly while incorporating taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin to develop a deep, spicy profile.
- Sauce Formation: Merge diced tomatoes and green chilis into the meat mixture, creating a vibrant and zesty sauce that will infuse the entire dish.
- Pasta Incorporation: Introduce uncooked pasta directly into the pot, ensuring each piece becomes coated with the seasoned mixture and absorbs maximum flavor.
- Liquid Activation: Pour beef broth over the ingredients, bringing the mixture to a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer and cover to steam-cook the pasta.
- Final Flourish: Once pasta reaches perfect al dente texture, remove from heat and fold in shredded cheese until it creates a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh cilantro, squeeze lime juice, and add optional hot sauce, allowing the flavors to harmonize before serving this vibrant one-pot meal immediately.
Notes
- Meat Flexibility: Choose ground beef, turkey, or plant-based crumbles to customize protein preferences without compromising flavor.
- Spice Control: Adjust taco seasoning intensity by using homemade or store-bought blends, tailoring heat levels to personal taste preferences.
- Liquid Precision: Watch broth quantity carefully to prevent dry or soggy pasta; small adjustments ensure perfect texture and consistency.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to prevent separation and achieve smooth, creamy incorporation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg