Description
Spicy and satisfying, this one pot cajun beef pasta blends bold Creole flavors with hearty comfort. Louisiana-inspired ingredients create a quick, zesty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 500 grams (1 pound) ground beef
- 400 grams (14 ounces) kidney beans, drained
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, shredded
- 1 medium zucchini, shredded
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 green onion, finely sliced (optional garnish)
Pantry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 800 grams (28 ounces) canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups low sodium chicken stock
- 2 cups water
- 350 grams (12 ounces) elbow pasta or similar
- 1.5 cups shredded Colby or any good melting cheese
Cajun Spice Mix:
- 1.5 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1.5 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 1.25 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over high heat, sautéing onions and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef, browning thoroughly and breaking into crumbly texture.
- Incorporate shredded carrot and zucchini, cooking for 2 minutes to eliminate excess moisture. Add bell peppers and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Introduce tomato paste and Cajun spices, allowing flavors to intensify for 1 minute.
- Pour crushed tomatoes, water, chicken stock, and kidney beans into the pot. Mix thoroughly and bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Submerge pasta into the liquid, stirring to prevent sticking. Cover with lid and reduce heat to medium, simmering for approximately 15 minutes and stirring intermittently.
- When pasta approaches doneness and sauce maintains a slightly liquid consistency, remove from heat.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly across the surface, allowing residual heat to melt for 3 minutes with lid closed.
- Optionally garnish with chopped green onions and serve piping hot directly from the pot.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, lighter version that suits health-conscious diners.
- Dial down the Cajun spice mix for kids or those sensitive to heat by reducing cayenne pepper and adding a touch of smoked paprika instead.
- Ensure vegetables are finely shredded to blend seamlessly and boost nutritional value without changing the dish’s texture.
- Add a splash of cream or Greek yogurt at the end for extra richness and to mellow out the spice profile, creating a more rounded flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg