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Cheesy Taco Pasta With Ground Beef

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A quick and easy 30-minute comfort food recipe combining seasoned ground beef, creamy cheddar cheese, and pasta with taco spices for a flavorful family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (90/10)
  • 8 oz (225 g) medium pasta (elbow macaroni or small shells)
  • 2 cups (200 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning (chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, sour cream, diced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb (450 g) ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add 1 small diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Stir in 2 tbsp taco seasoning and cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and bring out their flavor.
  5. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce and 1 cup (240 ml) beef broth. Stir well to combine and bring to a simmer.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Stir everything together so the pasta is coated with the sauce. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes so flavors meld.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 cups (200 g) shredded cheddar over the pasta mixture. Stir until the cheese melts into a creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up.
  8. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Top with optional fresh garnishes like sliced green onions or chopped cilantro if desired.
  9. Serve warm immediately.

Notes

[‘Do not rinse pasta after draining to keep starch for thickening sauce.’, ‘Use sharp cheddar for best melt and flavor.’, ‘Toast taco seasoning with beef and onions to boost flavor.’, ‘Cook beef in batches if pan is crowded to ensure browning.’, ‘Simmer pasta and sauce together briefly to marry flavors.’, ‘Add cheese off heat and stir gently to avoid graininess.’, ‘Add jalapeños or cayenne for extra spice if desired.’, ‘Leftovers store well in fridge up to 3 days; reheat with splash of broth or milk.’, ‘Freezes well; thaw overnight before reheating.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy taco pasta, ground beef pasta, easy weeknight dinner, taco seasoning recipe, comfort food, quick pasta recipe, family dinner

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/cheesy-taco-pasta-with-ground-beef-easy-30-minute-homemade-recipe/