One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with Lots of Veg Recipe

Introduction

This One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta is a hearty, flavorful meal that combines tender ground beef with a medley of fresh vegetables and a rich, spicy sauce. It’s an easy, satisfying dinner perfect for busy weeknights, with a gooey cheese topping that brings it all together.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500g (1 lb) beef mince (ground beef)
• 1 medium carrot, shredded (skin on)
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomato
• 400g (14 oz) kidney beans, drained (or other beans, optional)
• 2 cups chicken stock or broth, low sodium (can substitute beef stock)
• 2 cups water (tap water works fine)
• 350g (12 oz, about 3 cups) uncooked elbow pasta (macaroni, spirals, penne, ziti, small shells, or rigatoni)
• 1 1/2 cups tightly packed colby cheese (or other melting cheese), freshly shredded
• 1 green onion stem, finely sliced (optional garnish)
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for faint heat)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt or kosher salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-based pot with a lid over high heat.
2. Step 2: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Stir in the shredded carrot and zucchini, cooking for 2 minutes to evaporate most of the released moisture.
5. Step 5: Add the chopped red capsicum and cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Step 6: Mix in the tomato paste and all the Cajun spices. Cook for 1 minute to release their aromas.
7. Step 7: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, water (use the tomato cans to rinse), chicken stock, and drained beans. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
8. Step 8: Add the uncooked pasta, stir, and once the mixture returns to a simmer, cover with the lid and reduce heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer.
9. Step 9: Cook for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking. The pasta should be slightly firm and the sauce still a bit soupy at this point.
10. Step 10: Stir the pasta gently to smooth the surface, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly on top, then cover and turn off the heat. Let sit for 3 minutes to melt the cheese and allow the pasta to finish cooking with residual heat.
11. Step 11: Remove the lid, garnish with sliced green onions if desired, and serve immediately while saucy and cheesy.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and a creamier finish.
• Swap kidney beans for black beans or omit beans entirely for a different texture.
• Add a splash of hot sauce if you want a spicier kick.
• Try different pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni to change the bite and sauce hold.
• For a vegetarian version, replace beef mince with plant-based mince or extra beans and vegetables.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or stock if the pasta seems dry. The sauce thickens as it cools, so stirring while reheating helps restore creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken can be used as a leaner alternative. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure the meat is cooked through and fully browned.

Do I have to use the cayenne pepper?

No, cayenne pepper is optional for a mild heat. You can omit it or add more if you prefer a spicier dish.

One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with Lots of Veg Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 103 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish packed with ground beef, lots of vegetables, and a creamy blend of melted cheese. Combining a rich tomato-based sauce with a distinctive Cajun spice mix, this recipe offers a comforting, all-in-one pasta dinner that’s quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500g (1 lb) beef mince (ground beef)

Vegetables

• 1 medium carrot, shredded (skin on)
• 1 medium zucchini, shredded
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped

Tomato and Beans

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 800g (28 oz) canned crushed tomato
• 400g (14 oz) kidney beans, drained (or optional other beans)

Liquids and Pasta

• 2 cups low sodium chicken stock/broth (or beef stock as substitute)
• 2 cups water (tap water)
• 350g (12 oz, about 3 cups) uncooked elbow pasta (macaroni, spirals, penne, ziti, small shells or rigatoni)

Cheese and Garnish

• 1 1/2 cups tightly packed colby cheese (or other melting cheese, freshly shredded preferred)
• 1 green onion stem, finely sliced (optional garnish)

Spices

• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for faint heat)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Heat the oil: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy-based pot with a lid over high heat to prepare for sautéing your ingredients.
2. Cook vegetables and beef: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the ground beef and stir, breaking it apart until it’s fully browned and no red meat remains. Then stir in the shredded carrot and zucchini, cooking for 2 minutes so some moisture evaporates. Finally, add chopped red capsicum and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add spices and tomato paste: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste along with the Cajun spice mixture (thyme, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt). Cook for 1 minute to allow the spices to become fragrant and meld with the beef and vegetables.
4. Prepare pasta sauce: Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups water (use the tomato can to measure and swill), 2 cups low sodium chicken stock or beef stock, and drained kidney beans. Mix everything well and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Add pasta and simmer: Stir in uncooked pasta. Once it returns to a simmer, cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat slightly to medium, ensuring a steady simmer but not a rapid boil.
6. Cook pasta: Let the pasta cook covered for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom. The pasta should still have a slight bite in the center and the sauce will be a bit soupy at this stage—this is perfect as the pasta continues cooking in residual heat.
7. Melt cheese: Stir gently to smooth the surface, sprinkle shredded colby cheese evenly over the top, cover the pot again, then turn off the heat but leave the pot on the stove. Let sit for 3 minutes so the residual heat melts the cheese and finishes cooking the pasta.
8. Serve: Remove the lid, give a gentle stir to combine the melted cheese throughout, sprinkle with finely sliced green onion if desired, and serve immediately while the pasta is creamy, cheesy, and saucy.

Notes

• Note 1: Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and improve flavor balance.
• Note 2: Grating the carrot and zucchini helps the vegetables cook quickly and integrate smoothly into the sauce. Capsicum adds sweetness and texture.
• Note 3: Use any small to medium shaped pasta like elbow macaroni, spirals, penne, ziti, small shells, or rigatoni for best results.
• For a milder dish, omit the cayenne pepper.
• Use low sodium stock to control saltiness as canned tomatoes and seasoning salt add extra salt.
• Freshly shredding the cheese helps it melt better and more evenly.
• Stir regularly during pasta cooking to avoid it sticking and burning on the bottom of the pot.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Cajun

Keywords: One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta, Cajun pasta, beef pasta recipe, one pot dinner, easy pasta recipe, cajun ground beef, vegetable pasta, comfort food