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Easy One-Pot Spicy Taco Pasta Recipe with Ground Beef and Jalapeño for Quick Dinners

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A quick and easy one-pot spicy taco pasta with ground beef and jalapeño that delivers bold flavors and creamy texture, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 medium jalapeño, finely chopped (remove seeds to reduce heat if desired)
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro (chopped), sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, extra jalapeño rings

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients (5 minutes): Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and finely chop the jalapeño (remove seeds if you want milder heat). Grate the cheddar cheese and set aside.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef (7 minutes): Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in your skillet or Dutch oven. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with your spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Sauté Aromatics (3 minutes): Add diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeño to the beef. Cook until the onion turns translucent and soft, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add Taco Seasoning (1 minute): Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and stir to coat the meat and veggies evenly. Let it toast for about a minute.
  5. Add Liquids and Pasta (1 minute): Pour in 1 cup tomato sauce and 2 cups beef broth. Stir well to combine. Then add the elbow macaroni and push it down gently to submerge in the sauce.
  6. Simmer and Stir (12-15 minutes): Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover with a lid and let it simmer until the pasta is tender, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Add more broth or water if it looks too dry.
  7. Finish with Cheese (2 minutes): Once the pasta is cooked and most liquid absorbed, remove from heat. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust salt or spice if needed.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Spoon the spicy taco pasta into bowls and add your favorite toppings like fresh cilantro, sour cream, or avocado slices.

Notes

Remove jalapeño seeds to reduce heat. Stir frequently during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking. Add extra broth or water if pasta looks dry. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diet. Can substitute ground beef with turkey or make vegetarian with beans and veggies. Cheese adds creamy texture and balances spice.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, taco pasta, spicy, ground beef, jalapeño, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/easy-one-pot-spicy-taco-pasta-recipe-with-ground-beef-and-jalape-n-o-for-quick-dinners/