Taco Pasta (Print Version)

Cheesy one-pot taco pasta with ground beef, shells, salsa, tomatoes, sour cream, and cheddar.

# Ingredients:

For the pasta

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
06 - 1 can (10 oz or 285 g) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
07 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) salsa, mild or medium
08 - 2 cups (480 ml) low sodium beef broth
09 - 1/2 cup (120 ml) water, plus more if needed
10 - 8 oz (225 g) medium pasta shells
11 - 1/2 cup (85 g) drained black beans
12 - 1/2 cup (80 g) corn kernels, drained or frozen

For the creamy finish

13 - 1/2 cup (120 g) sour cream
14 - 1 1/4 cups (140 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
17 - 1/4 cup chopped cilantro or green onions

# Instructions:

01 - Heat the olive oil in a deep 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion, then cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and the onion is soft. Drain excess grease if needed.
02 - Stir in the garlic and taco seasoning. Cook for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly so the spices do not scorch.
03 - Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, salsa, beef broth, and water. Add the dry pasta shells, black beans, and corn, then stir until the shells are mostly submerged.
04 - Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for 11-13 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has thickened into a sauce.
05 - Turn off the heat. Stir in the sour cream until smooth, then add the cheddar in handfuls and stir until melted. Loosen with a splash of hot water if the sauce is too thick.
06 - Taste and season with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Top with cilantro or green onions and serve warm.

# Notes:

01 - Best served right away while the sauce is creamy and loose.
02 - Add dairy off the heat to keep the sauce smooth.
03 - Use mild or hot salsa to control the spice level.

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