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Taco Mac and Cheese
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Taco Mac'n'Cheese

Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 472kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces pasta (I used shells, but any shape will do)
  • 12 ounces 96% lean ground beef
  • 1 green bell pepper (chopped - about 1 cup)
  • ½ onion (chopped - about 1 cup)
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup salsa
  • 2 tablespoon no-salt-added tomato paste
  • ¾ cup fat-free half and half
  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese (grated)
  • 2 green onions (chopped)

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  • Spray a Dutch oven or large skillet with nonstick spray and heat it over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the pan is hot.
  • Add the ground beef, chopped pepper, chopped onion, minced garlic and spices and stir the mixture around until the beef is no longer pink.
  • Add the tomato paste and salsa to the beef mixture, and cook it for about 2 minutes
  • Remove the mixture from heat and stir in the half and half and cheddar cheese.
  • Stir in the cooked pasta and green onions. Cook over medium heat until the pasta is heated through.