In a rush? This 30 minute one pot taco pasta with ground turkey and black beans is here to save the day! It's creamy, satisfying, and the pasta cooks in the same pan as everything else!
1can(14.5 oz.) petite diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
3cupsuncooked whole wheat rotini(or another short pasta)
1can(15.25 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained(low-sodium preferred)
1cupshredded sharp cheddar cheese
Optional garnishes: avocado, lettuce, tomato, green onion, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, etc.
Instructions
In large sauté pan with a cover (a large saucepan or Dutch oven will also work), heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, onion, and peppers and cook until turkey is browned and cooked through and onions are translucent, breaking up turkey as it cooks.
Add tomato paste, flour, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Keep stirring until tomato paste coats all the meat, about 1 minute. Make sure to keep stirring so the tomato paste does not burn.
Add water, milk, and tomatoes. Stir well and bring to nearly a boil.
Add pasta, stir, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes (use pasta directions as a guide) or until al dente, stirring occasionally to make sure pasta gets cooked evenly.
Reduce heat to low; stir in black beans and cheddar cheese, stirring until cheese is melted.
Serve immediately topped with any taco garnishes you love.
Video
Notes
I recommend using whole or 2% milk because milk with lower fat percentage tends to curdle at a higher heat, which is necessary to cook the pasta. If you don’t have it, omit the milk and use 3 cups (total) water.
If you prefer, use ground beef, chicken, sausage, or chorizo instead of ground turkey.
If you have taco seasoning in your pantry, substitute it for the seasonings listed in the recipe: chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. I suggest using 1½ to 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, based on taste. Try my homemade taco seasoning -- no weird ingredients.
To reduce sodium content, use no-salt-added tomatoes, tomato paste, and black beans.