Description
This 20 Minute Enchilada Pasta combines the bold flavors of classic enchilada sauce with tender pasta and savory ground beef for a quick and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. With a cheesy finish and a simple one-pan simmer, this recipe brings the comfort of enchiladas in a fast, easy-to-make pasta dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups medium pasta shells (uncooked)
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups red enchilada sauce
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stove. Add the pasta shells and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release aroma.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with onions and garlic. Cook and stir until the beef is browned and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Combine sauce and pasta: Drain any excess grease from the skillet. Stir in the red enchilada sauce and the cooked pasta shells evenly into the beef mixture.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb some sauce.
- Add cheese and melt: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the skillet contents. Cover the skillet and allow the cheese to melt, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, uncover, and serve immediately while hot and cheesy.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- Top with chopped cilantro or sliced green onions for extra freshness.
- You can prepare homemade enchilada sauce or use store-bought for convenience.
- To add some heat, mix in diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
