Creamy Chipotle Lime Beef Pasta
A rich and creamy pasta skillet loaded with browned ground beef, sweet corn, and melty cheese, brightened up with lime and a mild smoky heat from chipotle chili powder. Ready in about 30 minutes for an easy, super flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta any short noodle like shells, rotini, penne, etc.
- 1 lb lean ground beef I like to use 90% or higher
- ½ tsp cumin
- ¾-1 tsp chipotle chili pepper powder use ¾ tsp for a milder flavor (kid-friendly) or 1 tsp (or even a pinch more) for more heat
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ tbsp minced garlic
- ¾ cup beef broth chicken or vegetable broth also work
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup corn canned or frozen
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp lime zest lightly measure without pressing into the spoon
- 1-1½ cups shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese
Optional Topping:
- fresh chopped cilantro
- sprinkle of Tajín seasoning
Instructions
PASTA: Boil the pasta in a medium-sized pot with salted water according to package instructions. Carefully scoop out about ½ cup pasta water once it's cooked, drain and set aside.
COOK BEEF: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until no longer pink. Drain excess grease by carefully scooping out of the pan.
Add the cumin, chipotle chili powder, salt and pepper and stir until the beef is evenly coated. Then push the beef to one side of the skillet.
BUILD BASE: Reduce the heat to low. Add the butter to the empty side of the skillet, let it melt stirring often. Then, add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or so. Mix the garlic and butter into the beef.
FINISH SAUCE: Add the broth, heavy cream and cream cheese, stirring often for about 2-3 minutes or until sauce is smooth and cream cheese has fully blended in. If the cream cheese looks slightly chunky or separated at first, keep stirring; it'll smooth out into the sauce as it heats.
LIME: Turn off heat and stir in the corn kernels, lime zest and cooked pasta, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the pasta needs loosening. Mix the pasta with the sauce and then add the fresh lime juice and stir again. Taste and season with salt, pepper or more lime juice to taste.
FINISH: Top with the shredded cheese, then cover and let it sit for about 5 minutes to let the cheese melt and the sauce thicken. Serve and top with cilantro or Tajín, if desired. Enjoy!
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