Description
This Easy Beef Enchilada Pasta combines the bold, spicy flavors of enchilada sauce and ground beef with tender pasta for a comforting and flavorful weeknight meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it features a simple skillet method and comes topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream for creamy richness.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
Pasta & Toppings
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Brown ground beef: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the lean ground beef until it is browned and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat to keep the dish lighter.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Sauté them together for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Simmer sauce: Pour the enchilada sauce into the skillet with the beef and aromatics. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes so the flavors meld well.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions, usually about 9 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine pasta and beef mixture: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the enchilada beef sauce. Stir well to combine and allow the pasta to warm through evenly for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Serve: Plate the pasta hot, garnishing each serving with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream for richness and a creamy finish.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content.
- Adjust the spice level by choosing mild or spicy enchilada sauce to suit your taste.
- For a cheesy bake, sprinkle extra cheddar on top and broil for 2-3 minutes.
- Gluten-free pasta can be substituted to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Keywords: easy beef enchilada pasta, enchilada pasta recipe, ground beef pasta, quick dinner, weeknight meal, skillet pasta
