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Beef Enchilada Pasta

Beef Enchilada Pasta
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Beef Enchilada Pasta is a quick, hearty, and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender pasta, juicy ground beef, and rich enchilada sauce with melted Mexican cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it boasts cheesy, spicy, and savory notes and can be easily customized to suit various dietary needs and preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup enchilada sauce
  • 8 oz uncooked pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 ½ cups Mexican cheese blend, shredded
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • 1–2 jalapeños, diced (for added heat)
  • ½ cup bell peppers or zucchini, diced (extra veggies)
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Spices

  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, diced onions, and minced garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are soft. Drain excess fat to prevent greasiness.
  2. Add Spices and Sauce: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir well to coat evenly. Pour in the enchilada sauce and stir to combine. Let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Add uncooked pasta directly to the skillet along with about 2 cups of water or broth. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until pasta is tender, about 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Incorporate Optional Ingredients: If using black beans and corn or extra veggies, stir them in when the pasta is nearly done cooking to warm through without losing texture.
  5. Add Cheese and Finish Cooking: Sprinkle the Mexican cheese blend evenly over the pasta. Cover again and let the cheese melt until bubbly and gooey. Once melted, the dish is ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use fresh chili powder and cumin for best flavor.
  • Don’t overcook pasta; aim for al dente texture.
  • Mix some cheese into the pasta for creaminess and reserve some for topping.
  • Simmer uncovered if you want a thicker sauce by letting excess liquid evaporate.
  • Adjust heat by adding jalapeños or cayenne gradually to suit your preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef enchilada pasta, cheesy pasta, enchilada recipe, one-pot pasta, quick dinner, Mexican-inspired pasta, ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/beef-enchilada-pasta/