One Pot Cheesy Taco Mac (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 500 g ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
04 - 400 g diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
05 - 200 ml tomato sauce
06 - 250 ml whole milk
07 - 500 ml beef broth
08 - 350 g dry shell pasta
09 - 30 g taco seasoning (1 packet or homemade equivalent)
10 - 150 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

→ Optional Add-Ins

11 - 100 g canned corn kernels, drained
12 - 100 g canned black beans, rinsed and drained
13 - 30 g diced jalapeños

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and ground beef. Cook while breaking the meat apart, until browned and vegetables have softened, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess grease.
02 - Sprinkle taco seasoning over the cooked meat and vegetables. Stir thoroughly to coat all contents and develop flavor, about 1 minute.
03 - Add diced tomatoes with chilies, tomato sauce, beef broth, and whole milk to the skillet. Stir until combined, then add shell pasta, mixing so the pasta is well submerged.
04 - Bring skillet contents to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until pasta is just al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Immediately stir in grated cheddar cheese until fully melted and sauce is creamy.
06 - Portion straight from the skillet while hot. Garnish as desired and serve immediately for best texture.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - Regular stirring during simmering ensures pasta cooks evenly and prevents sticking.
02 - Remove skillet from heat before adding cheese to maintain a smooth, creamy sauce.
03 - Adjust seasoning if using a different taco seasoning blend to balance salt and spice.
04 - Dish can be customized with additional vegetables or alternative ground meat without altering cooking time.
05 - For leftovers, add a splash of milk when reheating to restore creamy texture.

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