• prep: 10 min
• cook: 0 hr
• total: 10 min

servings:

Easy 30-Minute Southwestern Beef Skillet – EASY, family friendly, ready in 30 minutes, and COMFORT FOOD at its best!! Ground beef, pasta, black beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and CHEESE for a Southwestern flair!!

• 1/2 pound small-sized pasta shells, cooked according to package directions (medium shells, small elbow, rotini, bowtie, etc. may be substituted)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (I used 85% lean)
• 1 medium/large sweet Vidalia onion, diced small
• 3 to 4 garlic cloves, finely pressed or minced
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed (I used no-salt added)
• 1 15-ounce can petite diced tomatoes, do not drain (I use no-salt added)
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles, do not drain (I used fire-roasted)
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions, with 2 tablespoons reserved for garnishing
• 1 1-ounce packet taco seasoning (I used medium heat, reduced sodium)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 8 ounces (about 2 cups) extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (grate your own because pre-grated cheese in bags doesn’t melt as well)
• 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced into thin rounds for garnishing, optional
• 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely minced for garnishing

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