TACO SHELLS AND CHEESE

Taco Shells and Cheese image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Kosher salt
1 pound small pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes and green chiles, such as Rotel
1/2 cup hot water
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups milk, plus more if needed for thinning
8 ounces processed cheese, such as Velveeta, diced
2 1/2 cups grated Cheddar jack cheese
1 teaspoon dried cilantro
Sour cream and jarred salsa, for serving, optional

Steps:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Stir in the diced tomatoes and chiles, hot water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove to a bowl (it will still be a little juicy).
In the same pan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the milk and cook until hot and bubbling. Add the processed cheese and cook, stirring, until melted. Do the same with the Cheddar jack. Pour in the cooked pasta, add the taco meat and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, thinning with a splash of milk if needed. Stir in the cilantro.
Top each serving with some sour cream and salsa if desired.