High Protein Taco Pasta

This bold, cheesy, and protein-packed taco pasta is the perfect way to switch up taco night. Made with Good Ranchers Ground Beef, it’s a quick and satisfying meal for the whole family.

Yields: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ lb shell pasta

• 1 lb Good Ranchers Ground Beef

• ½ yellow onion, diced

• ½ red bell pepper, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

• 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (plus more to taste)

• 1 cup mild salsa

• ¼ cup reserved pasta water

• 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and generously salt it. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve ¼ cup of pasta water and set it aside. Drain pasta and set aside.

2. Cook the Ground Beef

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Good Ranchers Ground Beef, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Brown the meat for 4-7 minutes, until fully cooked. Transfer the beef to a bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the grease in the skillet.

3. Sauté the Vegetables

In the same skillet, add diced onion and red bell pepper to the leftover beef grease. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and start to brown. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.

4. Combine Everything

Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Sprinkle in taco seasoning, salt, and pepper, stirring well to coat everything evenly. Pour in the salsa and reserved pasta water, then stir to combine. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss everything together.

5. Melt the Cheese

Sprinkle in the shredded pepper jack cheese and stir continuously until fully melted and evenly distributed throughout the dish.

6. Finish and Serve

Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy a hearty, protein-packed meal!

Pro Tip: Want extra spice? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick.