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One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with Lots of Veg Recipe

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★★★★★

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/one-pot-cajun-beef-pasta-with-lots-of-veg-recipe/