Cowboy Pasta with Beef Bacon (Print Version)
Savory pasta blended with seasoned beef, bacon, corn, jalapenos, and a creamy cheese sauce delight.
# Ingredients:
Meat and Proteins
01 -
1.5 lb ground beef
02 -
0.5 lb bacon, cut into 1.3 cm pieces
Vegetables and Aromatics
03 -
0.5 red onion, diced
04 -
3 garlic cloves, minced
05 -
1 can (approx. 400 g) diced tomatoes
06 -
1 can (approx. 340 g) sweet corn, drained
07 -
1 can (4 oz / 113 g) diced jalapenos
Spices and Oils
08 -
1 tsp ground cumin
09 -
1 tsp chili powder
10 -
1 tbsp avocado oil
11 -
1 tsp garlic powder
Pasta
12 -
1.5 lb short pasta shells, rotini, or elbow macaroni
Cheese Sauce
13 -
4 tbsp unsalted butter
14 -
4 tbsp all-purpose flour
15 -
2 cups chicken broth
16 -
1 cup heavy cream
17 -
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
# Instructions:
01 -
Dice the red onion, mince garlic, and cut bacon into 1.3 cm pieces. Begin boiling a large pot of salted water for the pasta.
02 -
In a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
03 -
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, heat avocado oil. Add diced onions and minced garlic; cook for 3 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef, ground cumin, and chili powder; crumble and cook until no longer pink.
04 -
Stir in diced tomatoes and drained corn. Reduce heat to low and let simmer gently while preparing remaining components.
05 -
Cook pasta in boiling water following package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Return to pot off the heat.
06 -
In a clean saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic powder. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and cook for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream and continue cooking for another 2 minutes. Stir in diced jalapenos and shredded cheddar cheese until sauce is smooth and melted.
07 -
Add crispy bacon, meat and vegetable mixture, and cheese sauce to the pasta in the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all elements evenly.
# Notes:
01 -
Rinsing pasta with cold water after cooking stops the cooking process and prevents over-softening.