Description
A hearty and kid-approved meal that combines taco flavors with pasta in a stress-free cooking method using a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Meat and Base
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey (For a lighter option, use ground turkey.)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (You can use your own blend.)
Canned Ingredients
- 1 can diced tomatoes (Fire roasted tomatoes are great.)
- 1 can corn, drained (Optional, but adds a nice pop.)
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth (Low sodium works best.)
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 ounces pasta (Elbow, shells, or rotini work best.)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack.)
- ½ cup cream cheese or sour cream (Adds creaminess.)
Seasoning and Garnish
- to taste Salt and pepper
- to taste Squeeze of lime (Optional for added flavor.)
Optional Add-ins
- for garnish black beans, bell peppers, jalapeños (Optional for extra flavor.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet, then add onions and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
- Drain excess grease, if needed.
- Transfer beef mixture to crockpot, add taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, corn, and broth. Stir well.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on LOW for about 3 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours if in a rush).
- 30-40 minutes before serving, add the dry pasta and stir. Cook until pasta is soft.
- Stir in cheese and cream cheese; cover for another 10 minutes to melt.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot.
Notes
Excellent for meal prep and leftovers taste even better. Can be garnished with toppings like avocado, sour cream, or cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex