A bold, cheesy one-pot comfort meal packed with taco flavors, tender pasta, and savory beef. Family-friendly and perfect for busy weeknights.
⏱️ Time & Yield
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Cook: 25 minutes
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Total: 35 minutes
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Servings: 6
🛒 Ingredients
Main
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1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
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2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
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1 small onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasoning
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1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tbsp homemade)
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1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
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1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
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1 cup beef broth
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1 cup frozen corn
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1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
Cheesy Finish
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1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
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Salt & pepper to taste
Optional toppings
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Sour cream
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Fresh cilantro
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Jalapeños
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Green onions
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the beef
In a large deep skillet or pot over medium heat, cook ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
2️⃣ Add garlic & seasoning
Stir in garlic and taco seasoning. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3️⃣ Build the base
Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, corn, and black beans. Stir well.
4️⃣ Add pasta
Stir in uncooked macaroni. Bring to a gentle boil.
5️⃣ Simmer
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
6️⃣ Add cheese
Turn off heat. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted and creamy.
7️⃣ Serve
Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Add toppings if desired.
🔢 Estimated WW Points (per serving)
(6 servings, using lean beef and regular cheese)
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Blue: 8–10 points
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Green: 10–12 points
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Purple: 7–9 points
To lower points
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Use 96% lean ground beef or ground turkey
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Reduce cheese to 1 cup
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Use whole-wheat pasta (Purple plan friendly)
🌿 Is It Anti-Inflammatory?
Partially — depends on ingredients
Helpful components
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Tomatoes (lycopene)
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Beans (fiber)
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Corn (plant nutrients)
Less helpful
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Red meat (can be inflammatory in excess)
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Processed cheese
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Refined pasta
Make it more anti-inflammatory
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Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken
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Use whole-grain or legume pasta
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Add bell peppers or spinach
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Use reduced-fat cheese
💡 Pro Tips
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Stir occasionally so pasta doesn’t stick
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If mixture thickens too much, add splash of broth
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For spice, add ½ tsp chili flakes
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Tastes even better the next day