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One Pot Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 3 reviews

This One Pot Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish combining ground beef, pasta shells, and a medley of bell peppers in a creamy, cheesy taco-seasoned sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight meal, it melds classic taco flavors with cheesy pasta to create a satisfying and easy-to-make dinner in just 40 minutes.

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

Pasta and Protein

  • 1/2 lb Pasta Shells
  • 1 lb Ground Beef or Turkey

Vegetables

  • 1/2 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1 Small Yellow Onion, chopped
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, minced

Dairy and Fats

  • 1 tbsp Oil
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • 1/4 cup Sour Cream
  • 1/4 cup Cream Cheese
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, grated

Seasonings and Liquids

  • 2 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 8 oz Can Tomato Sauce
  • 2 1/4 cups Chicken Broth

Instructions

  1. Sauté Vegetables: Melt the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped green and red bell peppers along with the chopped yellow onion. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and softened, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey along with the minced garlic to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is fully browned. If using ground beef, spoon off any excess grease to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
  3. Create the Creamy Sauce: Stir in the cream cheese and sour cream until well combined with the meat and vegetables. Then add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings.
  4. Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth, stirring to combine all ingredients. Add the pasta shells and stir well so that the pasta is submerged in the liquid.
  5. Simmer and Cook Pasta: Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 20 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed much of the liquid.
  6. Finish with Cheese: Remove the cover and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until it melts completely into the pasta. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving. Serve hot and enjoy your cheesy, flavorful taco pasta!

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef to reduce fat content.
  • Spoon off excess grease after browning the beef to keep the dish lighter.
  • Fresh cilantro garnish is optional but adds a fresh contrast to the creamy pasta.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • Use gluten-free pasta shells to make this recipe gluten free.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/one-pot-cheesy-beef-taco-pasta-recipe/