This delicious meal is a loaded skillet full of saucy, tender pasta shells and warm, taco-style flavors then all is smothered in cheese, sour cream, salsa and olives.  What makes this meal even better is that it is a one pot wonder and is ready in just 30 minutes.  So if you are looking for a solution to your stressful dinner time this is it, making it stress-free!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder or 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup salsa verde (green salsa or green enchilada sauce)
• 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 1/2 cups medium pasta shells
• 1 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Fresh cilantro for sprinkling
• Sour cream, olives and salsa for serving (optional)

Directions:

In a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey or beef, salt, pepper, onion (or onion powder), and garlic (or garlic powder), stirring every once in a while to break the meat into small pieces. Once the meat is cooked through, drain any excess grease and scrape the meat mixture to a paper towel-lined plate.

To the skillet add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, salsa verde, pinto beans, chili powder, oregano, pasta shells, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring often to make sure the pasta isn’t sticking, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 15-20 minutes.

Stir in the cooked ground meat and top with the shredded cheese. Cover the skillet for 1-2 minutes to let the cheese melt. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro. The pasta will thicken as it rests.

Serve with sour cream, olives, and salsa, if desired.

Recipe from Mels Kitchen Cafe