Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 minced garlic cloves
1 finely chopped onion
1 chopped red bell pepper
500 grams (1 pound) lean ground beef
800 grams (28 ounces) crushed canned tomatoes
One 420-gram (14-ounce) can of drained red kidney beans
2 1/2 cups (625 ml) beef broth (or chicken broth)
250 grams (8 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni pasta
2 cups (200 grams) shredded cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack)
1/4 cup finely chopped coriander or cilantro for garnish
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or pure chili powder, adjusted to taste)
2 teaspoons paprika powder
2 teaspoons cumin powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder (or garlic powder)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
Instructions
1-Gathering and Prepping: First, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over high heat. This sets the stage for all the flavors to shine. SautΓ© 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 finely chopped onion for about 1 minute until theyβre fragrant and starting to soften.
2-Cooking the Base: Next, add 1 chopped red bell pepper and cook until the onion becomes translucent, which takes just a couple of minutes. Then, toss in 500 grams of lean ground beef and brown it while breaking it up with a spoon. This step builds that hearty meaty foundation everyone loves.
3-Simmering and Combining: Stir in 800 grams of crushed canned tomatoes, one 420-gram can of drained red kidney beans, 2 1/2 cups of beef broth, 250 grams of uncooked elbow macaroni pasta, and the homemade spice mix including 2 teaspoons paprika powder, 2 teaspoons cumin powder, and the rest of the spices. Bring everything to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for 12 minutes or until the macaroni is al dente. For a gluten-free twist, remember to cook the pasta separately to avoid it getting mushy.
4-Finishing Touches: Turn off the heat and keep the pot covered while you stir in half of the 2 cups of shredded cheese. The sauce should stay slightly saucy at this point, allowing the pasta to absorb those rich flavors. Top with the remaining cheese, cover again, and let it sit for about 2 minutes until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens. Finally, garnish with 1/4 cup of finely chopped coriander and serve immediately for the best experience.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
πΆ Use cayenne pepper to adjust heat levels to your preference.
π₯ Turn off the stove just as pasta finishes cooking to use residual heat for perfect texture and cheese melting.
π² Keep the sauce slightly saucy to let pasta absorb flavors and stay moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: SautΓ©ing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Contains Dairy and Gluten
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 768 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1630 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 11 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 103 mg
