Description
Enjoy a comforting and flavorful Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta that blends smoky, spicy, and creamy plant-based ingredients in one quick and easy skillet meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this dish features lean ground beef, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, and taco seasonings combined with tender medium pasta shells, creating a satisfying and family-friendly dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz medium pasta shells
- 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (canned)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauces (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Liquids and Other
- 1 1/2 cups plant-based milk
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon and Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside. In the same pan, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic, allowing them to absorb the smoky flavors left from the bacon.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the aromatics. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink. Season with ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer the Sauce and Pasta: Pour in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, plant-based milk, apple cider vinegar, and sprinkle the natural gelling agent. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the pasta shells directly to the skillet, cover, and cook until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bacon: Fold in the plant-based cheese, stirring until it melts into a creamy sauce. Crumble the reserved smoked turkey bacon on top as a finishing touch.
- Final Stir and Serve: Gently stir the pasta to fully combine all ingredients, ensuring the cheese is silky and the sauce coats the pasta well. Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions.
Notes
- Use fresh spices for the best flavor impact.
- Do not overcook pasta to avoid mushiness.
- Toast cumin and paprika briefly before adding beef to enhance aroma.
- Add cheese at the end to achieve a smooth and creamy texture without clumping.
- Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Cheesy Beef Taco Pasta, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, taco pasta, weeknight dinner, one pot meal, family-friendly, quick recipe
