Cheesy Taco Pasta
 
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Cook time
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Cheesy Taco Pasta is a healthy, one-pan dinner recipe that brings together two fan favorites: pasta and tacos. It is an easy, one-pan meal that is loaded with Mexican flavors! Perfect for busy weeknights, ready in 30 minutes with super easy clean-up!
Author:
Recipe type: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground turkey, ground chicken or lean ground beef
  • 1 sweet, yellow onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, ribs and seeds removed and diced
  • 1 jalapeno ribs and seeds removed and diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced, grated or pressed
  • 2 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. chipotle chili powder
  • 1 tsp. red pepper
  • 1 tsp. coriander
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • sea salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 1¾ cups water, plus more as needed
  • 1 cup prepared salsa (hot, medium, mild, your favorite)
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1½ cups uncooked whole wheat pasta such as rotini, fusilli, penne, or shells
  • 1 (15-ounce) can reduced-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided (colby jack, pepper jack would be great too)
  • Your favorite taco toppings for serving: avocado, sour cream, cilantro, etc.
Instructions
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high.
  2. Add turkey, chicken or beef to the skillet, stir frequently and cook for about 5-6 minutes or until meat is starting to brown and almost cooked through
  3. Add onion, peppers and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes or until onion is beginning to soften.
  4. Add spices and cook about 30 seconds so they are fragrant.
  5. Add water, salsa, tomato sauce, pasta and beans and stir to combine.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until pasta is al dente and most of the water is absorbed. (If pasta starts to get to dry during cooking, add a bit more water. You don't want it to dry out completely.)
  7. Remove from heat and stir in half of the cheese. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
  8. Serve with favorite taco toppings.
Recipe by Becky's Best Bites at https://beckysbestbites.com/cheesy-taco-pasta/