Description
Creamy crock pot taco shells and cheese blend Mexican zest with classic comfort. Hearty ingredients meld together, offering a satisfying meal that brings culinary excitement to your table and delights you with each cheesy, spicy bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef, browned and drained
- 16 ounces (454 grams) Velveeta, cubed
Pasta and Seasoning:
- 3 cups uncooked pasta shells, cooked al dente and drained
- 2 ounces (57 grams) taco seasoning (2 1-ounce packets)
Dairy and Liquids:
- 12 ounces (340 milliliters) can evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter, sliced into thin pats
Instructions
- Grease the interior of a 6-quart slow cooker with a light coating to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Thoroughly blend all ingredients in the slow cooker, ensuring an even distribution of pasta, cheese, and seasonings for consistent flavor.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low temperature, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 hours, creating a rich and creamy texture.
- Stir the contents periodically during cooking to prevent pasta from clumping and to promote uniform heat distribution.
- Check pasta tenderness around the 2-hour mark, ensuring it reaches a perfect al dente consistency without becoming mushy.
- Once pasta is cooked and sauce has thickened, give a final gentle stir to incorporate any remaining unmelted cheese and blend flavors.
- Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow the sauce to set and reach an optimal serving temperature.
- Garnish with optional toppings like chopped cilantro, diced jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Swap taco shells for gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions and make the dish more inclusive.
- Add extra protein by mixing in shredded chicken or ground beef for a heartier meal that satisfies bigger appetites.
- Control cheese richness by using low-fat cheese varieties or blending different cheese types for complex flavor profiles.
- Prevent pasta from becoming mushy by slightly undercooking it before adding to the slow cooker, ensuring a perfect texture when finished.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 561
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg