Smoky Southwest Beef Cavatappi with Green Pepper &Amp; Red Pepper Crema

This one-skillet pasta dish brings together the best of Southwest and Italian flavors. Twisty cavatappi noodles are tossed with seasoned ground beef, sautéed green peppers and a smoky red pepper crema for a creamy, slightly spicy sauce. It’s all topped with melted Mexican cheese and a drizzle of hot sauce for an extra kick.

Ready in about 35 minutes, this hearty meal is perfect for busy weeknights. The combination of tender pasta, savory beef and vibrant peppers creates a satisfying dinner that the whole family will love. Serve it straight from the skillet for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish.

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Ingredients

1 unit Long Green PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground BeefView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

14 ounce Diced TomatoesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Cavatappi PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Beef Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon Smoky Red Pepper CremaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mexican Cheese BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Hot SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper, to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry the produce. Halve the green pepper lengthwise, remove seeds and ribs, then slice into thin strips. Trim and thinly slice the scallions, separating the white parts from the green tops.
2. Once the water is boiling, add the cavatappi and cook until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
3. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced green pepper and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, 4-5 minutes.
4. Add another drizzle of oil to the pan with the pepper. Add the ground beef and scallion whites. Season with the Southwest spice blend, salt and pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into pieces, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes. If there’s excess grease, carefully pour it off.
5. Add half the diced tomatoes (use all if making 4 servings) and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
6. Stir in ½ cup of the reserved pasta water (¾ cup for 4 servings) and the beef stock concentrates. Season with ½ tsp salt (1 tsp for 4) and a pinch of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, 2-3 minutes.
7. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the drained cavatappi, sour cream, smoky red pepper crema, half the Mexican cheese blend, 1 tbsp butter (2 tbsp for 4 servings) and hot sauce to taste. Season with salt and pepper. If the sauce seems dry, add more reserved pasta water a splash at a time until creamy.
8. Top the pasta with the remaining Mexican cheese blend. Cover the pan and let it sit until the cheese melts, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle with scallion greens and serve.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like penne, rotini or shells will work well. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative or crumbled tofu. Use vegetable stock concentrate instead of beef.

How can I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.