Easy 30-Minute Southwestern Beef Skillet - EASY, family friendly, ready in 30 minutes, and COMFORT FOOD at its best!! Ground beef, pasta, black beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and CHEESE for a Southwestern flair!!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: 30-Minute Meals
Keyword: 30-minute meals, beef, black beans, cilantro, diced green chiles, dinner, green onions, ground beef, jalapeno, jalapeño pepper, Mexican, pasta, petite diced tomatoes, small shells, Southwestern, sweet Vidalia onions, taco seasoning
Servings: 6
Calories: 531kcal
Author: Averie Sunshine
Ingredients
½poundsmall-sized pasta shellscooked according to package directions (medium shells, small elbow, rotini, bowtie, etc. may be substituted)
one 15-ounce can black beansdrained and rinsed (I used no-salt added)
one 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoesdo not drain (I use no-salt added)
one 4-ounce can diced green chilesdo not drain (I used fire-roasted)
½cupthinly sliced green onionswith 2 tablespoons reserved for garnishing
one 1-ounce packet taco seasoningI used medium heat, reduced sodium
½teaspoonfreshly ground black pepperor to taste
8ouncesabout 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (grate your own because pre-grated cheese in bags doesn’t melt as well)
1jalapeno peppersliced into thin rounds for garnishing, optional
2 to 3tablespoonsfresh cilantrofinely minced for garnishing
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set pasta aside.
Preheat broiler to high.
To a very large oven-safe skillet, add the olive oil, ground beef, onions, and cook over medium-high heat to brown the beef, crumbling it with a spatula as it cooks and stirring frequently to ensure even cooking. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or as necessary until beef is cooked through and onions are soft.
Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir frequently.
Add the black beans, tomatoes, green chiles, green onions, taco seasoning, pepper, and stir to combine.
Add the pasta and stir to combine.
Evenly sprinkle with the cheese, optionally add jalapeno slices, and place skillet under the broiler until the cheese has melted and is bubbling, about 1 to 2 minutes. If desired, allow cheese to brown slightly, or to taste. Keep a very careful eye on your skillet and the cheese because broilers can burn things in a matter of seconds.
Evenly sprinkle with the reserved 2 tablespoons green onions, cilantro, and serve immediately. Recipe is best warm and fresh, but will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for 4 months.