Prep Time: 5 mins | Cook Time: 50 mins | Total Time: 55 mins | Servings: 8
This Southwestern Pasta with melty cheese is a very comforting, satisfying meal that can easily feed the crowd. Baked to perfection with rigatoni pasta, ground beef seasoned with Southwestern-inspired spice blend, tomatoes, black beans, and corn.
Ingredients
1 lb Ground Beef we used beef round
1 tbsp Oil Use a neutral/flavourless oil with a high smoke point (we use canola oil)
16 oz. Rigatoni Pasta
8 oz. Colby Jack shredded (or Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Jack, etc.)
1 tsp Garlic Powder
½ tbsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Cumin
1 (28 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
1½ c. Beef Broth
1 (15 oz.) can Corn, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
¼ tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt plus 1-2 tablespoons for the pasta water
Hot Sauce for serving – optional
¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes or to taste, optional
How to make Southwestern Pasta
Step 1: Combine the chilli powder, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, black pepper, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl until well mixed. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef with the prepared seasoning mix. Stir well, then arrange the beef in a single layer. Cook for about 3 minutes.
Step 3: After 3 minutes, stir the beef again, and arrange in a single layer. Continue to cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the meat is brown and there is no liquid left in the pan. Then, stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, black beans, and corn.
Step 4: Adjust the heat to medium-low once the sauce comes to a complete boil. Put the lid on and continue to cook for another 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often. Decrease the heat further once the liquid is vigorously boiling. Then, keep the sauce to a simmer.
Step 5: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 350 degrees F.
Step 6: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a pot with boiling salted water until al dente. Drain when done and set aside.
Step 7: In a large pot, combine the pasta and ground meat sauce until well mixed. Add half of the mixture and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. On top, add the rest of the pasta and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
Step 8: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly.
Step 9: Remove from the oven when done. If desired, serve the pasta with hot sauce. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 593kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1113mg | Potassium: 773mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 570IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 274mg | Iron: 5mg
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef we used beef round
- 1 tbsp Oil Use a neutral/flavourless oil with a high smoke point (we use canola oil)
- 16 oz. Rigatoni Pasta
- 8 oz. Colby Jack shredded (or Monterey Jack Cheese, Cheddar Jack, etc.)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 (28 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
- 1½ c. Beef Broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can Corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz.) can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Salt plus 1-2 tablespoons for the pasta water
- Hot Sauce for serving – optional
- ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes or to taste, optional
Instructions
Step 1: Combine the chilli powder, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, black pepper, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl until well mixed. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef with the prepared seasoning mix. Stir well, then arrange the beef in a single layer. Cook for about 3 minutes.
Step 3: After 3 minutes, stir the beef again, and arrange in a single layer. Continue to cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until the meat is brown and there is no liquid left in the pan. Then, stir in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, black beans, and corn.
Step 4: Adjust the heat to medium-low once the sauce comes to a complete boil. Put the lid on and continue to cook for another 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often. Decrease the heat further once the liquid is vigorously boiling. Then, keep the sauce to a simmer.
Step 5: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 350 degrees F.
Step 6: Following the package directions, cook the pasta in a pot with boiling salted water until al dente. Drain when done and set aside.
Step 7: In a large pot, combine the pasta and ground meat sauce until well mixed. Add half of the mixture and sprinkle with half of the shredded cheese. On top, add the rest of the pasta and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
Step 8: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly.
Step 9: Remove from the oven when done. If desired, serve the pasta with hot sauce. Enjoy!
