Tex Mex Pasta with Ground Beef and Roasted Spiced Broccoli
A hearty one-pan dinner combining seasoned ground beef with fusilli pasta in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese and served alongside cumin-roasted broccoli. The homemade Tex Mex spice blend brings warmth and depth to the beef mixture, while fire-roasted tomatoes add smoky complexity. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want something satisfying and flavorful that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 3 tsp cumin, ground
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp coriander, ground
- ½ tsp oregano, ground
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 4 oz pasta, fusilli
- 1 bell pepper, any color, chopped
- 1 Tbsp oil, cooking
- 1 lb beef, ground and lean
- 2 Tbsp Tex Mex spice mix
- 6 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1 can tomatoes, diced and fire-roasted (14 oz)
- 2 oz cheese, shredded blend
- 2 oz cheese, shredded blend
- sour cream or plain yogurt, for serving(optional)
- 1 lb broccoli, florets
- 1 tsp cumin, ground
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes(optional)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Heat oven to 400F
- 2
Toss broccoli with oil and season with cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper on sheet pan
- 3
Roast broccoli, shaking pan halfway through, until golden brown and tender
- 4
Heat large oven-safe skillet with oil over medium heat
- 5
Add bell peppers and cook until tender
- 6
Add beef and spice mix to peppers, cook breaking apart until cooked through
- 7
Stir tomato paste into beef mixture
- 8
Add water and tomatoes with liquid, bring to simmer
- 9
Stir pasta and first portion of cheese into sauce
- 10
When broccoli is done, remove from oven and turn on broiler
- 11
Squeeze lemon juice over broccoli and cover to keep warm
- 12
Top pasta with second portion of cheese and broil until melted
- 13
Serve pasta with sour cream and broccoli on the side
Tips
Any pasta shape works well - penne, rigatoni, or shells are great substitutes for fusilli.
Make the spice mix ahead by combining all the dry seasonings and storing in an airtight container.
If your skillet isn't large enough, transfer the pasta mixture to a broiler-safe baking dish before adding the final cheese.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat pasta in microwave or oven until warmed through.
Cook beef mixture and roast broccoli up to 2 days ahead. Assemble and broil when ready to serve.
Serve immediately while cheese is melted and broccoli is warm. Offer extra sour cream and hot sauce on the side.
Common Mistakes
Don't skip draining pasta water to avoid watery sauce
Watch broiler closely to prevent cheese from burning
Season broccoli well before roasting for best flavor
Substitutions
use what you have
less smoky flavor
different melting properties
FAQ
Can I make this without the broiler step?
Yes, just stir the second portion of cheese into the hot pasta mixture and let it melt from the residual heat.
What if I don't have fire-roasted tomatoes?
Regular diced tomatoes work fine, though you'll lose some of the smoky depth. Add a pinch of smoked paprika to compensate.
How long will leftovers keep?
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta may absorb some sauce, so add a splash of water when reheating.