---
title: Southwest Beef Cavatappi Skillet
servings: 4
source:
  name: HelloFresh
  url: https://www.hellofresh.com/recipes/southwest-beef-cavatappi-skillet-60dc7170a5daee7da65e81eb
prep time: 10 minutes
cook time: 25 minutes
time required: 35 minutes
difficulty: easy
allergens:
  - Wheat
  - Milk
  - Soy
tags:
  - Spicy
  - No Oven
rating: 4.5
rating_count: 3400
source_chef: Michelle Doll Olson
review_highlights:
  - theme: Flavor
    text: Many loved the bold, smoky flavors; some found it reminiscent of an elevated Hamburger Helper with a Southwestern twist.
  - theme: Ease of prep
    text: Customers praised how quick and easy this dish was to make, with several mentioning it's great for beginners.
nutrition:
  calories: 1010
  fat: 55
  saturated fat: 24
  carbohydrates: 85
  sugar: 9
  fiber: 6
  protein: 48
  cholesterol: 170
  sodium: 1740
image: "https://images.recipes.furrysalamander.com/Beef%20Recipes/Ground%20Beef/southwest-beef-cavatappi-skillet.avif"
---
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry all produce. Halve, deseed, and thinly slice @poblano pepper{2%unit} into strips. Trim and thinly slice @scallions{2%unit}, separating whites from greens.

Once water is boiling, add @cavatappi pasta{12%ounce} to pot. Cook until al dente ~{10%minutes}. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water (2 cups for 4 servings), then drain. Meanwhile, heat a large drizzle of @cooking oil{1%tbsp} in a #medium pan over medium-high heat. Add poblano and season with @salt{} and @pepper{}; cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened ~{4-5%minutes}.

Add another drizzle of @cooking oil{1%tsp} to pan with poblano; add @ground beef{20%ounce} and scallion whites. Season with @Southwest Spice Blend{2} and salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up meat into pieces, until beef is browned and cooked through ~{5%minutes}. Tip: If there's excess grease, carefully pour it out. Add @tomato paste{3} and cook, stirring constantly ~{30 seconds}.

Add ½ cup reserved pasta water (¾ cup for 4) and @beef stock concentrate{1%packet} to pan with beef mixture. Season with ½ tsp salt (1 tsp for 4) and pepper. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring, until thickened ~{2-3 minutes}.

Reduce heat to low and stir in @cavatappi pasta{}, @sour cream{4tbsp}, @smoky red pepper crema{8tbsp}, half the @Mexican cheese blend{1 cup}, and 1 tbsp @butter{2%tbsp} (2 tbsp for 4). Season with salt and pepper and hot sauce to taste (or @hot sauce{2} to taste). If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water, a splash at a time, until creamy.

Top beef cavatappi with remaining Mexican cheese; cover pan until cheese melts ~{1-2 minutes}. Sprinkle with scallion greens and serve.