Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta

If you own a Crockpot, you know just how convenient and amazing these appliances are; you put everything in the pot the night before (or morning of), turn on your Crockpot before you leave for work, and come home in the evening and voila, dinner is ready to eat!

If you do not own a Crockpot, I highly recommend that you go buy one just based on the sheer convenience alone.

Now that I've gone on about how much I think that Crockpots are the best, here's a simple and delicious Crockpot recipe for Taco Pasta.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-taco-pasta/2eb7a12d-eb18-4f7c-a24f-fe0b2d9edffc

Ingredients:

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 

1 cup Progresso® beef-flavored broth (from 32-oz carton) 

1 cup water 

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso® taco seasoning mix 

1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen® organic diced tomatoes, undrained 

1/4 cup finely chopped white onion 

1 garlic clove, finely chopped 

1 package (8 oz) Old El Paso® chile and roasted garlic Mexican cooking sauce

 4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, soften, cut into 1-inch pieces 

3 cups cooked medium pasta shells

 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz) 

Directions:

In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.

In 5- to 6-quart slow cooker, place cooked beef and remaining Taco Pasta ingredients except pasta shells and Cheddar cheese; stir until well combined.

Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours.

About 15 minutes before serving, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Uncover slow cooker; stir in pasta and shredded Cheddar cheese until well combined.

Cook uncovered on High heat setting 10 to 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Serve topped with sour cream, salsa and/or shredded cheese.Enjoy!

Take Care,

Leanne.