One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with Lots of Veg Recipe

Introduction

This One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta is a hearty and flavorful meal packed with plenty of vegetables and warming spices. It’s easy to make, combining ground beef, pasta, and a medley of veggies in a single pot for a delicious and fuss-free dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500g (1 lb) beef mince (ground beef)
• 1 medium carrot, shredded (skin on)
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomato
• 400g (14 oz) kidney beans, drained (or other beans, optional)
• 2 cups chicken stock or broth, low sodium (can substitute beef stock)
• 2 cups water (regular tap water)
• 350g (12 oz / 3 cups) uncooked elbow pasta (or spirals, penne, small shells, rigatoni)
• 1 1/2 cups tightly packed colby cheese, freshly shredded (or other melting cheese)
• 1 green onion stem, finely sliced (optional garnish)
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for mild heat)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp kosher or cooking salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pot with a lid over high heat.
2. Step 2: Cook the onion and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink.
3. Step 3: Stir in the shredded carrot and zucchini. Cook for 2 minutes until most of the released water has evaporated. Add the chopped capsicum and cook another 2 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the tomato paste and all the dried spices (thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, salt). Cook for 1 minute to release their flavors.
5. Step 5: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, water (use the tin to swill out any remaining tomato), chicken stock, and drained kidney beans. Stir everything and bring to a simmer.
6. Step 6: Add the uncooked pasta and stir well. Let the mixture return to a simmer, then cover with the lid and lower heat to medium so the liquid simmers gently (not a rapid boil).
7. Step 7: Cook for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. The pasta should be slightly firm and the sauce a bit soupy, which is perfect for the next step.
8. Step 8: Stir gently to smooth the surface, then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and turn off the heat, leaving the pot on the stove for 3 minutes to allow the residual heat to melt the cheese and finish cooking the pasta.
9. Step 9: Remove the lid, garnish with sliced green onion if desired, and serve immediately while the cheese is melted and gooey.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother melt and better texture.
• Swap kidney beans for black beans or omit them for a lighter version.
• Adjust cayenne pepper to make it more or less spicy based on your preference.
• Try different pasta shapes if you prefer, just keep the cooking time similar.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with plant-based mince and use vegetable stock.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or stock if the pasta has absorbed too much liquid and become thick.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?

Yes, this recipe calls for dried thyme and spices, which work well for deep flavor. Fresh herbs can be added at the end for garnish or an extra burst of freshness.

What if I don’t have elbow pasta?

You can use any similar small pasta shape such as spirals, penne, ziti, or small shells. Just ensure the cooking time remains consistent to avoid overcooked or undercooked pasta.

One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with Lots of Veg Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 61 reviews

A hearty and flavorful one-pot Cajun beef pasta loaded with a variety of vegetables, spices, and melting cheese. This easy-to-make dish combines tender ground beef, shredded carrot and zucchini, red capsicum, kidney beans, and elbow pasta simmered in a rich tomato sauce infused with Cajun spices for a delicious family meal. Finished with gooey melted cheese and optional green onion garnish, it’s perfect for a comforting weekday dinner with minimal cleanup.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Cajun

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables & Meat

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500g (1 lb) beef mince (ground beef)
• 1 medium carrot, shredded (skin on)
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped

Spices & Seasonings

• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt

Other Ingredients

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomato
• 400g (14 oz) kidney beans, drained (or other beans of choice, optional)
• 2 cups low sodium chicken stock or beef stock
• 2 cups water (tap water)
• 350g (12 oz / 3 cups) elbow pasta (macaroni, spirals, penne, ziti, small shells, rigatoni or similar size), uncooked
• 1 1/2 cups tightly packed Colby cheese or other melting cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 green onion stem, finely sliced (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil: In a large heavy-based pot with a lid, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over high heat until shimmering.
2. Cook vegetables and beef: Add chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no pink meat remains. Stir in shredded carrot and zucchini and cook for 2 minutes until most of the released water evaporates. Add chopped red capsicum and cook for another 2 minutes, combining the vegetables well.
3. Add spices and tomato paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and the Cajun spice mix (dried thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt). Cook for 1 minute to enhance the flavors and coat the meat and veggies evenly.
4. Add liquids and beans: Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups water (use the empty tomato cans to measure and swill out any remaining tomato), 2 cups low sodium chicken or beef stock, and the drained kidney beans. Stir thoroughly, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.
5. Add pasta and simmer: Stir in the uncooked elbow pasta. Let the pot come back to a simmer, then cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium. Keep the liquid at a gentle simmer, not a hard boil.
6. Cook pasta: Cook covered for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking or burning on the bottom. The pasta should be just slightly firmer than desired, and the sauce a bit soupy—this is perfect as the pasta will absorb more liquid later.
7. Melt cheese: Stir the mixture gently and smooth the surface. Sprinkle the shredded Colby cheese evenly over the top. Cover the pot with the lid again and turn off the stove, leaving the pot on the burner. Let sit for 3 minutes to allow residual heat to fully melt the cheese and finish cooking the pasta, resulting in a creamy, cheesy texture.
8. Serve: Remove the lid, sprinkle with sliced green onion if desired, and serve immediately while the cheese is melted and gooey, and the sauce remains deliciously saucy.

Notes

• You can substitute kidney beans with any other beans you have on hand or omit them entirely.
• Choose a melting cheese variety like Colby, cheddar, or Monterey Jack for best results.
• Use low sodium stock to better control the saltiness of the dish.
• If desired, add more cayenne pepper for extra heat or omit for milder flavor.
• Shredding carrot and zucchini with the skin on adds nutrients and texture.
• Keep stirring during pasta cooking to avoid sticking and burning.
• This dish tastes great the next day and reheats well.

Keywords: Cajun beef pasta, one pot pasta, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, saucy pasta, vegetable packed pasta, comfort food, family meal