A creamy, smoky one-pot meal combining tender pasta, seasoned beef, and melted cheddar in under 30 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 1 pound ground beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based ground
→ Aromatics
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Spices
04 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
05 - 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
08 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sauce Base
09 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
10 - 0.5 cup tomato sauce
11 - 2 cups low-sodium beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
→ Pasta
12 - 2 cups dry elbow macaroni or short pasta, gluten-free if needed
→ Cheese
13 - 2 cups shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese
→ Optional Add-Ins
14 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15 - 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
→ Toppings
16 - Sliced green onions
17 - Sour cream
18 - Crushed tortilla chips
19 - Extra shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Fresh cilantro
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat the meat and onions thoroughly with the spice blend.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Add dry macaroni and optional beans or jalapeño if using. Stir, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta reaches al dente consistency and most liquid is absorbed, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.
06 - Turn off heat. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta mixture and stir until completely melted, creating a creamy, smooth sauce.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed. Ladle into bowls and garnish with desired toppings such as green onions, sour cream, tortilla chips, cilantro, or extra cheese. Serve immediately.
