Another quick meal prep recipe has arrived! This time? A delicious and high protein cheesy Taco Pasta made in 10 minutes or less with super simple ingredients. It has just enough kick to satisfy, is budget friendly, and will easily last you the whole week!

Start by taking out a stovetop pan and adding in 1 tablespoon of oil into it. I like using an avocado oil for its higher smoke point but olive oil is fine if that’s all you have! Let that heat up for a couple minutes.

Once it heats up, add in some optional chopped up bell peppers and onion. You can either opt out of these or switch them up with other vegetables. Think mushrooms, zucchini, other onions, jalapeños, and so on.

Let them cook over medium high heat for a couple minutes.

Drop your heat to medium and add in 1 pound of a lean ground chicken, beef, or turkey. I’m using chicken today as it’s the leanest I could fine.

Let that cook while breaking it up until browned. Keep in mind that ground chicken won’t look nearly as browned as beef or turkey when it’s done so keep an eye on it!

Once browned, add in 3/4 cup of water and a packet or 1 ounce of some reduced sodium taco seasoning mix. If you don’t have access to taco seasoning mix or want to make your own with even less sodium, use the recipe below.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

*Double or triple this recipe and have access to it whenever you need it!

• 1 1/4 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
• 3/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper, Paprika
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Oregano, Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper

Continue by mixing everything together and letting your taco pasta cook on low heat for a couple minutes.

While that’s cooking take out 8 ounces of your choice pasta and make it however your box says to. I went with a higher protein pasta but regular, chickpea, or lentil all work great too depending on your macro goals.

Add your cooked pasta into your pan along with 1 1/2 cups of salsa and 3/4 cup of your favorite taco cheese.

Pro tip? You can change up the heat and flavor of this taco pasta by using various salsas.

Mix it all together until your cheese has melted then turn your burner off.

When I meal prep this for the week, I’ll reheat mine in the microwave for around a minute. It also tastes great cold too if you don’t have a way to reheat it.

Last? Top it with fresh guacamole and/or sour cream or plain Greek yogurt which is a great substitute for sour cream.

Ready for dessert? How about some Protein Cornbread Cookies with a Buttercream Protein Frosting!?