One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta
Creamy, juicy, and loaded with bold Cajun flavors, this One Pot Cajun Beef and Cheddar Pasta is weeknight comfort food at its finest.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef Raw
- 1 medium Onion Chopped
- 1 medium Bell Pepper Chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic Minced
- 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies 14.5 oz, undrained
- 1 block Cream Cheese 8 oz, softened
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 8 oz Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- to taste Fresh Parsley Chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain any excess fat from the pot using a spoon or carefully tilt the pot and spoon out fat. Return the beef to the pot.
- Add the chopped onion and chopped bell pepper to the beef. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let the garlic burn.
- Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly so the spices evenly coat the beef and vegetables. Cook for about 1 minute to toast the spices and release aromas.
- Pour in the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (undrained), the softened cream cheese, beef broth, and heavy cream. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the mixture becomes smooth and uniform. This may take 2 to 3 minutes; lower the heat if the mixture is simmering too hard.
- Add the elbow macaroni to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cover the pot and let the pasta cook for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure even cooking. Check the pasta at the 10-minute mark for doneness.
- Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, remove the lid. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is creamy and cohesive. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
- Turn off the heat and let the pasta rest for 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
For best results, soften the cream cheese to room temperature before adding. Adjust the spice level to your preference.