Description

Southwest Ground Beef Pasta is a flavor-packed dish featuring tender penne pasta, seasoned beef, and a creamy sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare, this meal is designed for busy families and food lovers alike!

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces penne
1 pound ground beef
1 red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
1 small yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 cup (145 g) corn, fresh, frozen, or canned (drained)
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, like rotel, undrained
1 cup (238 g) heavy whipping cream
1 cup (113 g) cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup (57 g) monterey jack, shredded
Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the penne according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked.
Add the diced red bell pepper and onion to the skillet, cooking until softened.
Stir in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper and cook for about 1 minute to combine flavors.
Add the minced garlic, corn, and undrained diced tomatoes, stirring everything together.
Pour in the heavy whipping cream and bring to a simmer.
Mix in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and creamy.
Finally, toss the cooked penne in the sauce until well combined.
Serve warm, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.

Notes

Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
Add your favorite vegetables for extra nutrition and flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 545
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 850mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 19g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 27g
Cholesterol: 110mg