Description
Craving a quick Mexican-inspired “One Pot Taco Pasta Delight” that combines zesty flavors and easy preparation? Hearty ground beef, melty cheese, and bold spices create a comforting weeknight meal that satisfies your hunger and delights your palate in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound lean ground beef (or 12 ounces Impossible Meat for a plant-based version)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilis
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Seasonings, Pasta, and Dairy:
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 8 ounces elbow pasta
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- Salt, as needed
Optional Toppings:
- Green onions
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Ignite a spacious pot over medium-high temperature, drizzling olive oil to create a sizzling base for flavor development.
- Introduce chopped onions and bell peppers, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, creating an aromatic foundation.
- Incorporate ground beef or plant-based alternative, breaking it into crumbly bits while cooking until the meat loses its raw appearance.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning, paprika, and cumin across the meat mixture, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify the overall taste profile.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and green chilis, stirring to distribute the ingredients evenly and create a robust sauce.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into the pot, gently coating each piece with the seasoned mixture to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
- Stream beef broth into the pot, raising the heat to trigger a vigorous boil and initiate the pasta cooking process.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the pot to trap steam and promote even pasta cooking, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Once pasta reaches perfect tenderness, remove from heat and fold in shredded cheese until it melts into a creamy consistency.
- Finish the dish with fresh cilantro, a splash of lime juice, and optional hot sauce, allowing the flavors to meld during a brief resting period.
- Serve the one-pot wonder immediately, savoring the harmonious blend of textures and robust Mexican-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Versatile plant-based option available for meat lovers and vegetarians, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious one-pot meal.
- Quick and easy weeknight dinner solution that combines the flavors of tacos with comforting pasta in just 30 minutes.
- Minimal cleanup required since everything cooks in a single pot, making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting hot sauce and choosing mild or spicy taco seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- Freezer-friendly meal that can be stored for up to 3 months, making it ideal for meal prep and advance planning.
- Fresh cilantro and lime juice add bright, zesty finishing touches that elevate the overall flavor profile of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg