One-Pot Taco Pasta

One-Pot Taco Pasta

from simplyrecipes.com
Entree
35 min
510 kcal / serving

For a low-stress weeknight meal that the whole family will love, make one-pot taco pasta. The pasta cooks right in the pot with seasoned ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes before being topped with melty cheese.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • 1white onion, chopped
  • 1red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 poundlean ground beef (12 ounces if using impossible meat)
  • 2 tablespoonshomemade taco seasoning or 1 (1-ounce) packet taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoonsmoked or sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoonground cumin
  • 1can diced tomatoes
  • 1can chopped green chilis
  • 8 ounceselbow pasta
  • 2 cupsbeef or vegetable broth
  • 1 cupshredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cupfresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoonsfresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 1 tablespoonhot sauce, optional
  • salt, as needed
  • optional toppings
  • green onions, chopped
  • sour cream
  • lime wedges

Directions

  1. 1

    Sauté the vegetables and ground beef: Set a large pot (5 or 6 quarts) on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until just softened, about 2 minutes. Add the ground beef and use a wooden spoon to break it up in the pan.  Reduce the heat to medium and cook until most of the pink is gone, 3 to 5 minutes. If desired, spoon off some of the grease. For plant-based meat, this will only take 2 to 3 minutes.

  2. 2

    Add the seasoning, tomatoes, pasta, and broth: Add the taco seasoning, paprika, cumin, canned tomatoes, and green chilis, both undrained. Mix until combined. Add the dry pasta and stir to coat. Pour in the beef broth and mix everything once more.  Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil (this takes 3 to 5 minutes).

  3. 3

    Simmer the pasta: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer until the pasta is cooked, 13 to 15 minutes. Stir a few times while simmering to ensure the pasta cooks evenly.

  4. 4

    Mix in the cheese, cilantro, and lime: Turn off the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it melts. Mix in chopped cilantro, lime juice, and hot sauce (if using). Taste and add salt as needed.  Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken before serving topped with scallions, sour cream, and lime, if desired.