Description
Hearty one pot beef taco pasta blends Mexican and Italian flavors for a quick family dinner. Spicy ground beef, tender pasta, and melted cheese create a comforting meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup corn (optional)
- 1/2 cup black beans (optional)
Base and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (penne or rotini)
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Heat a spacious cooking vessel over medium flame, sizzle ground beef until it transforms into a rich, caramel-brown color and releases excess grease.
- Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Sprinkle zesty taco seasoning across the meat mixture, then cascade beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and uncooked pasta, thoroughly blending all components.
- Elevate temperature to achieve a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat, create a tight seal with a lid, and allow the mixture to gently simmer for 13-14 minutes, ensuring pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency.
- Integrate shredded cheese varieties, stirring continuously until they melt into a velvety, luxurious sauce coating every pasta strand.
- Fold in sweet corn kernels and hearty black beans, if desired, and calibrate seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance overall flavor profile.
- Scatter freshly chopped cilantro across the surface, accompany with a dollop of cool sour cream, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Replace regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary restrictions.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting taco seasoning or using mild/hot varieties to suit personal taste preferences.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 441 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg