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One-Pot Taco Pasta with Cottage Cheese Recipe

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4.1 from 12 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This One Pot Taco Pasta with Cottage Cheese is a flavorful and creamy dish combining lean ground turkey, chickpea pasta, black beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes with taco seasoning for a Mexican-inspired comfort meal. The unique addition of blended cottage cheese adds rich creaminess without the heaviness of cream, making it a nutritious, protein-packed dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (or chicken/beef)
  • 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 container (approx. 16 oz) cottage cheese, blended until smooth
  • 2 cups dry chickpea pasta shells (or whole wheat pasta)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or beef/vegetable broth)
  • 1 14 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (Siete Mild recommended)
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
  • Olive oil or avocado oil (for cooking, about 1-2 tbsp)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

  • Sliced jalapeños
  • Avocado slices
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Greek yogurt or sour cream

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: Heat a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive or avocado oil. Add the lean ground turkey and cook, stirring occasionally, until fully browned and no longer pink.
  2. Add Seasoning: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned turkey and stir well to evenly coat the meat and release the spices’ flavors.
  3. Combine Core Ingredients: To the pot, add the drained and rinsed black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, frozen corn, dry chickpea pasta shells, and chicken broth. Stir everything together to combine.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  5. Blend Cottage Cheese: While the pasta cooks, blend the cottage cheese using an immersion blender, regular blender, or food processor until smooth and creamy, removing any lumps.
  6. Incorporate Creaminess: Stir the blended cottage cheese into the pasta mixture to create a rich, creamy texture without using heavy cream.
  7. Add Cheese and Season: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese into the pot and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Spoon the taco pasta into bowls and top with your favorite toppings like sliced jalapeños, avocado, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for extra protein and flavor.

Notes

  • Using chickpea pasta adds extra protein and fiber compared to regular pasta, but whole wheat pasta is a suitable alternative.
  • Blending cottage cheese creates a creamy texture without the calories and fat of heavy cream, making the dish lighter.
  • Adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild or hot taco seasoning and by adding jalapeños to taste.
  • This recipe is versatile: you can swap the ground turkey for ground chicken or beef depending on preference.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/one-pot-taco-pasta-with-cottage-cheese-recipe/