Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 pound ground beef, or ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz pasta shells
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for serving
Optional Toppings
- Shredded Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Green Onions
- Cilantro
- Avocado
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Ground Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Break it apart with a spoon and cook for about 10 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if there is a lot, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan to retain flavor.
- Add Seasoning and Liquids: Stir in the taco seasoning, Rotel diced tomatoes (with juices), and chicken broth. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Pasta and Simmer: Add the pasta shells to the skillet and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, loosely cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add extra broth as needed if the pasta absorbs too much liquid before cooking through.
- Finish with Cheese and Serve: When the pasta is cooked, immediately remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately with additional shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, and avocado if desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Adjust taco seasoning amount to control spice level.
- Adding extra broth helps if pasta thickens up too quickly.
- You can swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a spicier kick.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
