Description

Enjoy a delightful taste of Southwest Ground Beef Pasta with its vibrant flavors, simple preparation, and wholesome ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a quick dinner or comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces penne
1 pound ground beef
1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
1 small yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 cup corn, fresh, frozen, or canned (drained)
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, like Rotel, undrained
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup Monterey Jack, shredded
Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef, diced bell pepper, and onion. Season with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and vegetables are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add the corn and diced tomatoes with green chilies. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Mix in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth.
Fold in the cooked penne pasta and stir until evenly coated in the sauce.
Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the spice levels by adding more or less chili powder.
For extra creaminess, increase the amount of heavy whipping cream or cheese used.
This dish can be easily made ahead of time and reheats well.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 610
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 670mg
Fat: 38g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 120mg