Name: One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta Recipe is a must-try dish!
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced; 1 onion, chopped; 500g (1 lb) ground beef; 1 medium carrot, shredded; 1 medium zucchini, shredded; 1 red bell pepper (capsicum), chopped; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes; 400g (14 oz) canned kidney beans, drained (optional but recommended); 2 cups low-sodium chicken or beef stock; 2 cups water; 350g (12 oz or about 3 cups) elbow pasta (or other small pasta like penne or rigatoni); 1½ cups shredded Colby cheese (or another good melting cheese); 1 green onion, finely sliced (optional garnish); 1½ teaspoons dried thyme; 1½ tablespoons paprika (regular, not smoked); 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt

Description

This One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta brings bold bayou flavor straight to your dinner table. Packed with spiced ground beef, hidden veggies, hearty pasta, and melty cheese, it’s a comforting, saucy, and cheesy one-pot meal the whole family will love — with minimal cleanup!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 onion, chopped
500g (1 lb) ground beef
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 medium zucchini, shredded
1 red bell pepper (capsicum), chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomatoes
400g (14 oz) canned kidney beans, drained (optional but recommended)
2 cups low-sodium chicken or beef stock
2 cups water
350g (12 oz or about 3 cups) elbow pasta (or other small pasta like penne or rigatoni)
1½ cups shredded Colby cheese (or another good melting cheese)
1 green onion, finely sliced (optional garnish)

Homemade Cajun Spice Mix:

1½ teaspoons dried thyme
1½ tablespoons paprika (regular, not smoked)
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1¼ teaspoons kosher salt

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Instructions

Sauté the aromatics: In a large heavy pot with a lid, heat olive oil over high heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Cook the beef: Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink.
Add veggies: Stir in shredded carrot and zucchini. Cook for 2 minutes until most of the moisture evaporates. Add chopped red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes.
Flavor it up: Stir in tomato paste and all of the Cajun spice mix. Cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
Add liquids: Pour in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, chicken or beef stock, and water. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
Add pasta: Stir in uncooked pasta. Bring back to a simmer, cover the pot, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and the mixture is slightly saucy.
Melt cheese: Stir once to even out the surface, then sprinkle shredded cheese over the top. Cover and turn off the heat. Let sit for 3 minutes until cheese melts.

Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Notes

You can make this dish spicier by increasing the cayenne or adding hot sauce.
For a vegetarian version, swap the beef with lentils or meatless crumbles and use veggie stock.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of water or stock when reheating to revive the sauce.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner, One Pot
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Cajun-Inspired