Beef and Pasta Skillet

When I was growing up, my mom made a dish sort of like this. She called it Goulash, but obviously this is not. Thanks to bakingblonde my dish has a name! I really like this pasta because it is something that I grew up with.


Beef and Pasta Skillet

1 box (14.5) multigrain penne
1 lb. lean ground beef
1-2 cloves garlic, minced (to your taste)
½ large yellow onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
½ large green pepper, chopped
1 can (6.5 oz) mushrooms (could also use fresh)
2 cans (15 oz) tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste

-Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 11 to 12 minutes or until al dente then drain.
-Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the garlic, onion, celery, green pepper and mushrooms. Drain off the grease. Add salt and pepper to taste.
-Add the tomato sauce and simmer while the pasta cooks.
-Combine the beef, vegetable, and tomato sauce mixture with the pasta and serve.

Crock Pot Gumbo

Today I made gumbo in my new crock pot. I bought a Rival 5.5 qt oval crock pot yesterday at Kohl's so of course I had to use it today. The gumbo turned out pretty good and we both have enough for lunch tomorrow.


Slow Cooker Gumbo from About.com: Southern Food

INGREDIENTS:
•1/3 cup flour
•1/3 cup cooking oil
•3 cups chicken broth
•12 to 16 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
•2 cups chopped cooked chicken
•2 cups diced cooked chicken
•1 to 2 cups sliced okra (I didn’t use okra)
•1 cup chopped onion
•1/2 cup chopped green pepper
•1/2 cup chopped celery
•4 cloves garlic, minced
•salt, to taste
•1/2 teaspoon pepper
•1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
•boiled white rice

PREPARATION:
•For roux, in a heavy 2-quart saucepan stir together flour and oil until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for about 15 minutes more or until roux is dark reddish brown.
•Let roux cool.
•Add chicken broth to a 3 1/2 to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in roux. Add sausage, chicken, okra, onion, green pepper, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
Skim off fat. Serve with hot cooked rice.

I, too, have started a food blog.

I'm very excited to have my own food blog! I love looking at other's blogs and getting inspiration. I'm hoping to do that for others.

I must confess now that not everything will be homemade. I may used boxed stuffing or jarred gravy every now and then in a pinch.

Enjoy!