One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with lots-of-veg

Serves 7–8

40 min

A bubbly one-pot beefy pasta in Cajun tomato sauce loaded with hidden shredded vegetables, stretched economically from 500g beef to serve a crowd.

prepShred carrot and zucchini using a box grater, keeping carrot skin on
prepChop onion and red capsicum; mince garlic; drain kidney beans
1 tbsp olive oil	Heat oil, cook onion & garlic 2 min	Add beef, break up, cook until brown	Add carrot & zucchini, cook 2 min	Add capsicum, cook 2 min	Add tomato paste & Cajun spices, cook 1 min	Add tomato, water, stock & beans, stir, bring to simmer	Add pasta, stir, return to simmer, cover, medium heat	Simmer 15 min, stirring every few min until pasta al dente	Stir, smooth surface, top with cheese, cover, turn off heat	Rest 3 min, sprinkle green onion, serve immediately
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
500 g beef mince (ground beef)
1 medium carrot, shredded using box grater
1 medium zucchini, shredded using box grater
1 red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy)
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
800 g canned crushed tomato
400 g kidney beans, drained
480 ml chicken stock/broth, low sodium
480 ml water
350 g elbow pasta (uncooked)
150 g colby cheese or other melting cheese, freshly shredded
1 green onion stem, finely sliced (optional garnish)

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