Description
One-pot taco pasta combines classic Mexican and Italian flavors for a quick weeknight dinner. Spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty seasonings create a comforting meal you can enjoy without multiple dishes to clean.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef (12 oz if using Impossible Meat)
- 8 oz elbow pasta
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilis
- 2 tbsps homemade taco seasoning or 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt, as needed
- Green onions, chopped (optional topping)
- Sour cream (optional topping)
- Lime wedges (optional topping)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high temperature. Swiftly cook diced onions and bell peppers until they soften and become translucent, releasing their vibrant flavors.
- Brown the Protein: Introduce ground beef to the vegetable base, methodically breaking it down with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat transforms from pink to a rich, golden-brown hue, eliminating any excess grease.
- Spice Infusion: Generously dust taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin across the meat. Pour in canned tomatoes and green chilis, thoroughly mixing to create a robust, flavor-packed foundation.
- Pasta Integration: Cascade uncooked pasta into the pot, gently tossing to coat each piece with the seasoned meat mixture, ensuring maximum flavor absorption.
- Liquid Activation: Stream beef broth into the pot, stirring to harmonize all ingredients. Elevate heat to medium-high, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
- Simmer and Develop: Reduce heat, cover, and allow the pasta to gently simmer for 12-15 minutes. Occasionally stir to prevent adherence and promote uniform cooking.
- Cheese Fusion: Remove from heat, immediately folding in shredded cheddar cheese until it melts completely, creating a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Final Flourish: Integrate freshly chopped cilantro, zesty lime juice, and optional hot sauce. Calibrate seasoning to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Serving Preparation: Rest the dish for a brief moment, allowing sauce to thicken and flavors to meld. Plate with a garnish of sliced scallions, a generous dollop of sour cream, and lime wedges for an explosive culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir frequently during cooking to avoid pasta clumping or burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Manage Liquid Levels: Keep an eye on broth absorption; add small amounts of water if pasta seems dry before fully cooked.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pot from heat before adding cheese to ensure smooth, creamy incorporation without potential separation or graininess.
- Spice Customization: Adjust taco seasoning quantity based on personal heat preference – start with less and incrementally add more for desired flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg