One Pot Cajun Beef Pasta with lots-of-veg

Bahan-bahan (7 porsi)

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 g arlic cloves (, finely minced)
• 1 onion (, chopped)
• 500 g / 1 lb beef mince (ground beef) ((Note 1))
• 1 carrot (, medium, shredded using box grater (I keep skin on) )
• 1 zucchini (, medium, shredded using box grater (Note 2))
• 1 red capsicum ((bell pepper), chopped (Note 2))
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 800 g / 28 oz canned crushed tomato
• 400 g / 14 oz kidney beans (, drained (or other beans of choice, can omit))
• 2 cups chicken stock/broth (, low sodium (sub beef stock))
• 2 cups water ((just regular tap water!))
• 350 g / 12 oz (3 cups) elbow pasta (macaroni) (, spirals, penne, ziti, small shells, rigatoni or similar size, uncooked (Note 3))
• 1 1/2 cups (tightly packed) colby cheese (or other melting cheese of choice, preferably freshly shredded (melts better))
• 1 g reen onion stem (, finely sliced (optional garnish))
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tbsp paprika ((sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy))
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (, optional (faintly spicy))
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt