Description
Discover the joy of family meals with this Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta! This hearty, one-pot dish combines the savory flavors of ground beef, vibrant bell peppers, and rich tomatoes, all seasoned perfectly with taco spices. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can set it and forget it, allowing the slow cooker to work its magic while you attend to other tasks. The addition of shell pasta and gooey cheddar cheese transforms this meal into a comforting classic that appeals to both kids and adults. Customize it with your favorite toppings for an extra touch and enjoy a hassle-free dinner any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
- 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup jarred salsa (mild)
- 15 ounce can corn (drained)
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 Β½ cups water or low sodium chicken broth
- 12 ounces shell pasta shapes (uncooked)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with salt and pepper until fully cooked. Drain excess grease and transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add chopped bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, salsa, drained corn, taco seasoning, and broth or water to the slow cooker. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Stir in uncooked shell pasta and press down into the liquid. Cook on high for an additional 15-30 minutes until pasta is tender.
- Mix in shredded cheddar cheese until melted before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: For added nutrition, consider incorporating extra vegetables such as zucchini or spinach. Adjust taco seasoning based on your spice preference for a customized flavor profile. If you want a vegetarian version, swap out ground beef for black beans or lentils.