One-Pot Cajun Beef Pasta
This One-Pot Cajun Beef Pasta is a hearty, comforting dish packed with flavor and hidden veggies! Made with ground beef, pasta, and a rich Cajun-spiced tomato sauce, this meal is perfect for busy nights. The best part? It all comes together in one pot for easy cleanup! Topped with gooey melted cheese, this pasta is a crowd-pleaser and great for leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 onion chopped
- 500 g 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium carrot shredded
- 1 medium zucchini shredded
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 800 g 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 400 g 14 oz kidney beans, drained (optional)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 350 g 12 oz uncooked elbow pasta, penne, or rigatoni
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby cheese or other melting cheese
- 1 green onion sliced (for garnish, optional)
- For the Cajun Spices:
- 1 ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 ½ tbsp paprika regular, not smoked
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional, for spice
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Sauté the Veggies & Beef: Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Cook onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Stir in shredded carrot and zucchini and cook for another 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add Seasoning & Tomato Base: Stir in tomato paste and Cajun spices, cooking for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, water, broth, and kidney beans. Mix well and bring to a simmer.
- Cook Pasta in One Pot: Add uncooked pasta and stir. Once simmering again, cover the pot and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be slightly firm, and the sauce will still be a bit soupy.
- Melt the Cheese: Stir the pasta, smooth the top, and sprinkle cheese evenly. Cover the pot and turn off the heat, letting the cheese melt for 3 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy: Sprinkle with green onion (if using) and serve immediately while saucy and cheesy!
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the cayenne pepper.
- Pasta choice: Short pasta works best for absorbing the sauce.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month.