Colorful Beef & Pepper Pasta Delight
This hearty and vibrant dish is a delightful take on the classic American goulash, bringing a pop of color and flavor to your family’s dinner table. Inspired by the freshness of peppers from the farmer's market, this recipe combines lean ground sirloin with pasta shells, luscious tomato sauce, and a medley of sweet bell peppers. The result is a well-balanced meal that’s not only pleasing to the palate but also a feast for the eyes! Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot wonder is both kid-friendly and nutritious, ensuring that your loved ones are well-fed and happy. Prepare to impress your family with this easy, quick, and delicious dish that everyone will adore!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pasta sauce
36 ounces (Choose your preferred variety (e.g., Prego Chunky Garden tomato, onion and basil).)
Ground sirloin
1 pound (Crumbled and cooked.)
Shell macaroni
8 ounces (Cook according to the package instructions.)
Green pepper
1 large (Chopped into chunks.)
Orange bell pepper
1 small (Chopped into chunks (can substitute with red or yellow).)
Salt
to taste (Optional seasoning.)
Onion powder
to taste (Optional seasoning.)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, fill with water and place it on the stove over high heat to bring it to a boil.
2
While waiting for the water to boil, chop the green and orange bell peppers into chunky pieces, leaving them hearty but manageable.
3
Once the water is boiling, add the shell macaroni (or elbow macaroni) to the pot and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
4
In a separate large sauce pan (about 3 quarts), pour in the entire jar of pasta sauce. To minimize waste, add about 1/4 cup of water to the empty jar, seal it tightly, shake well, and pour the remaining sauce into the pan. Heat the sauce over medium heat.
5
Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, add the ground sirloin and cook over medium heat. Break it apart with a spatula until it starts to brown.
6
When the ground beef is halfway cooked, add the chopped peppers to the pan. Stir to combine, and season to taste with sea salt and onion powder.
7
Once the macaroni has finished cooking, drain it and add it directly into the heated pasta sauce.
8
When the ground beef is fully cooked and the peppers have softened, carefully drain any excess grease from the frying pan. (You can use a paper towel to absorb the grease by tilting the pan slightly if you don't have a proper draining lid.)
9
Combine the beef and pepper mixture into the pasta sauce and macaroni, gently stirring everything together until evenly combined and heated through.
10
Serve warm, and enjoy the deliciously colorful flavors with your family!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorful Beef & Pepper Pasta Delight?
It is a hearty and vibrant dish inspired by American goulash, combining lean ground sirloin, pasta shells, and colorful bell peppers.
What kind of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of shell macaroni, though elbow macaroni is a suitable substitute.
What type of meat is recommended?
One pound of ground sirloin is recommended for a lean and flavorful protein base.
How much pasta sauce do I need?
You will need a 36-ounce jar of your preferred pasta sauce variety.
Which bell peppers are included in this dish?
The recipe uses one large green pepper and one small orange bell pepper.
Can I substitute the orange bell pepper with another color?
Yes, you can easily substitute the orange pepper with red or yellow bell peppers.
How should I chop the peppers?
Chop the peppers into chunky pieces so they remain hearty but manageable within the pasta.
How do I ensure I use all the pasta sauce in the jar?
Add about 1/4 cup of water to the empty jar, seal it, shake well, and pour the remaining mixture into the pan.
What texture should the pasta be?
The macaroni should be cooked according to the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture.
When should I add the peppers to the meat?
Add the chopped peppers to the frying pan when the ground sirloin is halfway cooked.
What seasonings are suggested for this recipe?
Sea salt and onion powder are suggested to season the beef and pepper mixture to taste.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes, this dish is specifically noted as being kid-friendly and a great meal for the whole family.
How do I remove excess grease from the beef?
You can use a proper draining lid or tilt the pan and use a paper towel to absorb the excess grease.
Is this a good meal for busy weeknights?
Absolutely, it is a quick and easy one-pot wonder designed for efficient preparation on busy nights.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
The recipe was inspired by fresh peppers from a farmer's market and the classic American goulash.
What brand of pasta sauce works well?
Prego Chunky Garden tomato, onion and basil is a suggested variety for this dish.
How many ingredients are required in total?
There are 7 main ingredients, including the meat, pasta, sauce, peppers, and basic seasonings.
Do I need to cook the sauce separately?
The sauce should be heated in a separate large sauce pan (about 3 quarts) before combining other ingredients.
Is this meal considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a well-balanced, nutritious meal using lean meat and fresh vegetables.
How is the final dish assembled?
The cooked macaroni is added to the sauce, followed by the beef and pepper mixture, and then stirred together.
Can I use ground beef other than sirloin?
While ground sirloin is recommended, you can use other types of ground beef, though you may need to drain more grease.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
Yes, the addition of fresh green and orange bell peppers provides fiber to the meal.
Should I serve the pasta delight warm or cold?
This dish is best served warm immediately after combining and heating through.
How do I prevent the meat from being in large chunks?
Use a spatula to break the ground sirloin apart in the frying pan as it browns.
Are the seasonings mandatory?
No, the salt and onion powder are optional seasonings to be added to taste.
What makes the dish 'colorful'?
The combination of the red tomato sauce, green peppers, and orange peppers creates a vibrant visual appeal.
How long should the peppers cook?
Cook the peppers in the frying pan with the beef until they have softened.
Is this recipe considered a one-pot meal?
While multiple pans are used for prep, it is described as a one-pot wonder because the final meal is combined and served from one pot.
Can I use dried onion instead of onion powder?
Yes, you can customize the seasonings based on what you have in your pantry.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The recipe uses 1 pound of meat and 8 ounces of pasta, which typically feeds a family of four.