Description
This One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta is a simple, flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, tender shell pasta, and a creamy blend of Monterey Jack and mild cheddar cheeses. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe uses just one pot for easy preparation and cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel brand preferred)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 8 ounces shell pasta
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the ground cumin, dried minced onion, and garlic powder until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish from becoming greasy.
- Add Tomato and Liquids: Stir in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes with green chilies, beef broth, and 1 cup of the whole milk. Mix well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat to blend the flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the shell pasta to the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, typically 8 to 10 minutes or according to the pasta package instructions.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Lower the heat to low and gradually add the Monterey Jack and mild cheddar cheeses, stirring until each cup is melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined with the beef and pasta.
- Serve: Once the cheese has fully melted and the pasta is cooked through, remove from heat and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies for the authentic spicy flavor.
- Drain excess fat after browning the beef for a leaner dish.
- Adjust the seasoning by adding salt or pepper to taste if desired.
- For a creamier sauce, you can add a splash more milk while cooking.
- This recipe can be doubled easily for larger crowds.
