Chuck Wagon Pasta

Written by Dawn Kucera @ CommonGround Nebraska
Hi! I’m Dawn Kucera from Madison, Nebraska. I originated from northeast Iowa where I grew up on my family’s diversified livestock and crop farm, but now farm and ranch with my husband in Nebraska where we raise corn, soybeans and alfalfa. We also run 40 Angus beef cows and feed out our calves. The majority of our beef is retailed directly to consumers from the farm. My husband, Regan, also sells seed corn and operates a crop consulting business.

My daily routine is very diversified. I take care of all aspects of our beef operation. My daily duties include feeding, checking cows, and marketing our beef. I also take care of our other livestock chores. I manage the bookwork for our farm and well as our seed and consulting businesses. During planting and harvest, I do help in the field, driving tractor as needed.

My passion for agriculture goes way back to my years growing up in Iowa. I am so proud of my family’s agricultural heritage. I realize the need to make sure that the general public, and my family, never takes their food supply for granted. I know the knowledge of agriculture in the urban population is declining fast. Even though we live in the “heart of agriculture”, that lack of knowledge is also right here. It is important that consumers put a face with their food. I have seen that firsthand with our beef sales. I want to take advantage of the opportunity to promote the industry that is the lifeblood of my family.

Enjoy this beef recipe that my daughter helped create!

 

Chuckwagon Pasta

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 small pepper, chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 can (14.5 ounce ) beef broth

1 1/2 cup uncooked pasta

1 cup barbeque sauce

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Brown ground beef, pepper and onion. Drain.

2. Stir in broth, pasta, barbeque sauce and water. Bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat and simmer 10 – 15 minutes.

4. Uncover and cook 5-7 minutes longer.

5. Sprinkle with cheese before serving.