One-pot cajun beef pasta is a wonderful twist for pasta lovers. It's such a filling and nutritious dish that you won't feel hungry for hours. It has everything including meat, vegetables, and lots of cheese. On top of that, you get the unique taste and flavor of cajun.
This dish is often called a super food due to the amount of nutritious ingredients it contains. You can easily prepare part of the dish beforehand to reduce hassle. You can cut the vegetables, boil them, and freeze them in zip-lock bags. You can also pre-cook pasta to reduce your cooking time. However, it's best to prepare the ingredients fresh before cooking and serving the hot dish right away to get the best taste and flavor.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- Pasta of your choice (macaroni, penne, spirals, or small shells) – 3 cups
- Beef – 500 g, minced
- Carrot – 1, shredded
- Zucchini – 1, shredded
- Capsicum (of your choice of color) – 1, chopped
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic cloves – 2, finely chopped
- Onion – 1, chopped
- Tomato paste – 2 tablespoons
- Canned crushed tomato – 800 gm
- Chicken stock/broth – 2 cups
- Water – 2 cups
- Colby cheese – 1.5 cups
- Green onion stem – 1, finely sliced
Cajun spices:
- Garlic powder – 2 teaspoons
- Onion powder – 2 teaspoons
- Dried thyme – 1.5 teaspoons
- Paprika – 1.5 tablespoons
- Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
- Cayenne pepper – ½ teaspoon
- Salt – to taste
Cooking process
- Use a box grater to shred the zucchini and carrot
- Put a cast iron pot on the stove and heat oil over high heat. Add garlic and onion.
- Add beef and cook till it turns brown.
- Add vegetables and spices. As you cook them they will release water. Wait for the water to evaporate. Then add capsicum and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and cajun spices and cook for a minute.
- To make the sauce, add water and canned tomato in a pot. Pour beans and chicken stock. Give a good stir and simmer for some time.
- Add pasta and cook for 15 minutes. When the mixture becomes runny, lower the flame and cover the pot. Stir and keep it for some more time till the cheese melts.
- Sprinkle cheese over it. Serve your past hot on a nice platter.
Variations
- Add more vegetables; preferably, seasonal ones to make the dish healthier.
- Add cheese or a mixer of cheese of your choice, like mozzarella and cheddar.
- Choose from a wide range of pasta like, macaroni, penne, and others.
- Instead of meat use chicken pieces, shrimp, or tofu.
How to store
You can keep this pasta in your refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for 3 months. To reheat, you can do so in the microwave or on your stovetop. Just add a little bit of water or oil so that the pasta doesn't get dry.
Health benefits
- Reduces craving for unhealthy snacks, so you can maintain your weight.
- Keeps blood sugar level in check
- Improves immune system
- Lowers cholesterol level
- Promotes better digestive health
- Cajun seasoning is good for the heart because its ingredients contain anti-oxidants.
One pot of cajun beef pasta lets you add lots of vegetables and sauces in one dish. It not only enhances the flavor but also makes the dish nutritious. One-pot dishes like this give exposure to food that we often don't prefer. It is a great dish for your children as they will get exposure to different kinds of vegetables and meat in a single dish.
