Description
Cowboy Pasta is a hearty, flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, pasta, tangy dressing, and fresh veggies. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, drain, and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cooked through. Drain excess fat and let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue sauce, and mustard until smooth to make the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, ground beef, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill for about 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or spicy sausage for variation.
- Enhance with additions like corn, black beans, or bell peppers.
- Use different cheeses such as pepper jack or smoked gouda for unique flavors.
- Serve warm or cold depending on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
