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Test Kitchen Approved

Cheat-Day Pasta

Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

About

Don't worry! We won't tell! When you need a break from all the salad and salmon, Cheat-Day Pasta is here to fix your food problems! You'll be drooling over your bowlful of springy rotini and juicy veggies tossed in a cheesy, beefy, Tex-Mex-inspired sauce. Everyone needs a break every now and then... but be warned, you're going to want Cheat-Day Pasta all the time!

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Ingredients

  • For the taco seasoning:
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • For the pasta:
  • 8 ounces rotini
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup frozen sweet corn
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely diced
  • 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • cilantro leaves, to taste, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 -In a medium bowl, add the chili powder, the cumin, the garlic powder, the onion powder, the oregano, the paprika, the red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper and stir to combine.

Step 2 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the rotini to al dente, according to the package directions. Drain the pasta.

Step 3 -While the rotini is cooking, in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil.

Step 4 -Add the beef to the heated oil and cook, while crumbling, until it is no longer pink.

Step 5 -Add the diced onions, the red bell peppers, the green bell peppers, the corn, and the diced garlic to the beef and sauté until the veggies start to soften.

Step 6 -Add the seasoning mixture and the diced tomatoes with green chilies and their juices to the beef mixture and stir to combine.

Step 7 -Cook the beef mixture, about 10 minutes.

Step 8 -Use a spatula to push the beef mixture to the sides of the skillet, creating an empty space in the center.

Step 9 -Add the beef broth, the heavy cream, the cream cheese, and the cheddar cheese to the empty space and mix until they are combined and form a smooth and creamy sauce.

Step 10 -Mix the sauce into the beef mixture.

Step 11 -Taste the beef mixture and season with the extra salt and the extra pepper, as needed. Stir to combine.

Step 12 -Add the cooked rotini to the beef mixture and stir to combine.

Step 13 -Cook the pasta mixture, about 5 minutes.

Step 14 -Serve the pasta garnished with the cilantro leaves.

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