Description
Savor Mexican-inspired magic with this Cheesy Taco Pasta Delight, where zesty spices dance with creamy cheese and tender pasta. Hearty comfort meets bold flavors, promising a quick and satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Main Dairy and Cheese:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) Velveeta, cubed
- 12 ounces (340 milliliters) evaporated milk
- ¼ cup (57 grams) butter, cut into thin pats
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 3 cups (270 grams) uncooked pasta shells
- 2 ounces (57 grams) taco seasoning (equivalent to 2 1-ounce packets)
Instructions
- Thoroughly brown the ground beef in a skillet, ensuring no pink remains, then drain excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Cook pasta shells in salted boiling water until they reach a perfect al dente texture, then drain and set aside, preserving their tender bite.
- Prepare the slow cooker by lightly coating the interior with cooking spray to prevent ingredients from adhering to the sides.
- Transfer the seasoned ground beef into the slow cooker, creating an even base layer for the pasta dish.
- Scatter the cooked pasta shells over the beef, allowing them to nestle naturally across the surface.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning evenly across the pasta and meat, distributing the robust flavor throughout the mixture.
- Carefully cube the Velveeta cheese into uniform pieces to promote smooth and consistent melting.
- Distribute the cubed Velveeta and thin slices of butter across the top of the pasta and meat mixture.
- Pour evaporated milk over the ingredients, helping to create a creamy and cohesive sauce as everything melds together.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the ingredients to meld and cheese to melt slowly for 2-3 hours.
- Periodically stir the contents to ensure even heat distribution and prevent any potential scorching.
- Once the cheese has completely melted and ingredients are thoroughly combined, the dish is ready to serve hot.
Notes
- Slow Cooker Magic transforms basic ingredients into a creamy, cheesy comfort meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
- Perfectly seasoned ground beef and pasta shells create a hearty dish that satisfies serious comfort food cravings.
- Velveeta cheese guarantees an ultra-smooth, luxurious texture that melts beautifully and coats every single pasta shell.
- Low and slow cooking method ensures ingredients blend seamlessly, preventing cheese from burning or sticking to the pot.
- Versatile recipe allows easy customization with optional toppings like fresh cilantro, sour cream, or diced jalapeños for extra zest.
- Make-ahead friendly meal that stores well in the refrigerator and reheats quickly for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg