Shelly's Recipe

CREAMY TACO MAC

Category: Ground

8 oz (1/2 lb) pasta
1 1/4 lb ground turkey or beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
4 tablespoons taco seasoning (recipe below)
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.

Set a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground turkey. Brown, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat as you cook it. When the turkey is nearly cooked through, add the onion to the skillet and stir to incorporate. Once the turkey is completely browned, add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes and taco seasoning and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, stirring to incorporate and melt the cream cheese. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has slightly reduced. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top each portion with shredded cheddar cheese before serving, if desired.

Taco Seasoning
4 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon paprika
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a medium bowl, mix all of the spices together. Transfer to an airtight container for storage.

[To use the seasoning to make tacos, combine 2 heaping tablespoons (in place of a package of taco seasoning) with 1 lb of beef or chicken and 1 cup of water. Simmer until the liquid is almost completely gone.]