Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 15oz. can diced tomatoes
1 4oz. can diced green chiles
1/2 lb. small pasta shells
2 cups beef broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a deep skillet or wide-bottomed pot. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft.
Add the ground beef and taco seasoning and continue to cook and stir until the ground beef is cooked through.
Add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and diced green chiles (with juices) to the beef and stir to combine.
Finally, add the pasta and beef broth and stir to combine once again. It's okay if the pasta is not fully submerged under the broth.
Place a lid on the pot and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the broth to come up to a full boil. Once boiling, give the pasta a stir, place the lid back on top, and turn the heat down to medium-low.
Let the pasta continue to simmer, stirring every few minutes and always replacing the lid, for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. There should be some thick saucy liquid left in the pot once the pasta is cooked.
Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it has melted into the sauce. Top with sliced green onions and serve!
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Small pasta shells are ideal here because their cup shape traps the savory, saucy broth, delivering maximum flavor in every bite.
- Taco seasoning packets typically contain a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
- Using beef broth instead of water to cook the pasta infuses it with deep, savory flavor from the inside out.
- Diced green chiles add a mild, tangy heat that complements the beef without overwhelming — great for family-friendly meals.
- Shredded cheddar cheese stirred in at the end creates a creamy, velvety sauce that coats every shell perfectly.
- Keeping the lid on while simmering traps steam and helps the pasta cook evenly in the flavorful broth.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides a solid source of protein from ground beef and cheddar cheese, supporting muscle maintenance and satiety.
- The diced tomatoes contribute vitamin C and lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart health benefits.
- Using a moderate amount of olive oil keeps saturated fat in check while adding heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Beef broth adds depth of flavor with minimal calories, though it does contribute to the sodium content — opt for low-sodium broth if preferred.
- The pasta shells provide a good source of carbohydrates for sustained energy throughout the day.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories420
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat16 g72 g22.22%
- Saturated Fat7 g20 g35%
- Trans Fat0.4 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat1.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat6 g
- Cholesterol58 mg300 mg19.33%
- Sodium980 mg2300 mg42.61%
- Total Carbohydrate45 g275 g16.36%
- Dietary Fiber3 g28 g10.71%
- Total Sugars5 g
- Added Sugars1 g50 g2%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein24 g50 g48%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)4 mcg20 mcg20%
- Calcium210 mg1300 mg16.15%
- Iron3.2 mg18 mg17.78%
- Potassium520 mg4700 mg11.06%
- Vitamin A480 mcg900 mcg53.33%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)9 mg90 mg10%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1.2 mg15 mg8%
- Vitamin K8 mcg120 mcg6.67%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.28 mg1.3 mg21.54%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)5.2 mg16 mg32.5%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.35 mg1.7 mg20.59%
- Folate55 mcg400 mcg13.75%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)1.8 mcg2.4 mcg75%
- Biotin4 mcg30 mcg13.33%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.7 mg5 mg14%
- Choline85 mg550 mg15.45%
- Phosphorus280 mg1250 mg22.4%
- Iodine12 mcg150 mcg8%
- Magnesium38 mg420 mg9.05%
- Zinc4.1 mg11 mg37.27%
- Selenium22 mcg55 mcg40%
- Copper0.18 mg0.9 mg20%
- Manganese0.55 mg2.3 mg23.91%
- Chromium3 mcg35 mcg8.57%
- Molybdenum18 mcg45 mcg40%
- Chloride420 mg2300 mg18.26%
