CRAZY good! The entire family cleaned up their plates and returned for more!
Conchitas with Ground Beef is a delightful dish that combines the fun shapes of conchita pasta shells with a savory ground beef sauce. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s easy to prepare yet full of flavor.
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Ingredients:
| For the Conchitas: | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients: | Quantity |
| Conchitas Pasta (or any small pasta shells) | 12 ounces |
| Olive Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| For the Ground Beef Sauce: | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients: | Quantity |
| Ground Beef | 1 pound |
| Onion (medium, finely chopped) | 1 |
| Garlic Cloves (minced) | 2 |
| Diced Tomatoes (canned, 14 ounces) | 1 can |
| Tomato Sauce (canned, 8 ounces) | 1 can |
| Ground Cumin | 1 teaspoon |
| Chili Powder | 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) |
| Paprika | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt and Black Pepper | To taste |
| Frozen Corn Kernels (optional) | 1 cup |
| Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese | 1 cup |
| Fresh Cilantro Leaves | For garnish |
Instructions:
-
Cook the Conchitas:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the conchitas pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
- Drain the pasta and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
-
Brown the Ground Beef:
- In a large skillet, heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
-
Sauté the Aromatics:
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
- Sauté for 2-3 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent.
-
Simmer the Sauce:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
-
Combine Pasta and Sauce (Optional Corn):
- Add the cooked and drained conchitas pasta to the skillet with the ground beef sauce.
- If using, add the frozen corn kernels and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the corn is heated through.
-
Top with Cheese and Melt:
- Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top of the pasta and sauce mixture.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts and becomes gooey.
-
Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish your Conchitas with Ground Beef with fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of color and flavor.
- Serve warm, spooning generous portions onto plates.
