Tex-Mex Beefy Noodle Stew
You can eliminate the spice in the dish by using regular stewed tomatoes. Use less water to create a goulash type consistency or use more liquid to make a stew. Use whatever vegetables and pasta your family likes. This recipe is just a guide to create your own special dish. Enjoy and please share any new ideas for this one!
You can eliminate the spice in the dish by using regular stewed tomatoes. Use less water to create a goulash type consistency or use more liquid to make a stew. Use whatever vegetables and pasta your family likes. This recipe is just a guide to create your own special dish. Enjoy and please share any new ideas for this one!
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cans (14.5 oz) mexican stewed tomatoes do not drain
- 1 or 2 8 ounce tomato sauce use 2 if you want a stew
- 1 large potato cubed *see notes
- water as needed - start with one tomato sauce can full of water
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked pasta i use elbow macaroni, but anything is fine
- 1 can green beans drained - optional
- 1 can corn drained - optional
- Carbohydrate 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0 g
- Fiber 0 g
- Protein 0 g
- Saturated Fat 0 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (305g)
- Sodium 0 mg
- Sugar 0 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Calories 0 calories
Step-by-step
- Brown ground meat and onion and drain excess fat.
- Season meat with salt and pepper and add the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce and water, stirring to mix well and bring to a low boil.
- Add the diced potato if you're using a raw potato, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the noodles, bring to a simmer again, cover and cook for about 10 minutes or until pasta is almost done.
- Add drained vegetables, cover and continue simmering until the pasta is done.
- Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Serve with cornbread or garlic toast.
Tex-Mex Beefy Noodle Stew: My Go-To Weeknight Dinner
As a busy mom of three, finding time to cook a delicious and nutritious dinner every night can feel like a Herculean task. Between school pick-ups, soccer practice, and homework help, the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That's why I rely heavily on adaptable recipes, ones that can be tweaked to suit what I have on hand and the ever-changing tastes of my family. This Tex-Mex Beefy Noodle Stew is one of those lifesavers. It's hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make, even on the busiest of evenings.
The beauty of this stew lies in its flexibility. The recipe is a guideline, not a strict set of rules. Feel free to swap out ingredients based on what you have available or what your family prefers. Don't have green beans? Use peas, carrots, or even zucchini. Not a fan of elbow macaroni? Try penne, rotini, or even whole wheat pasta. The possibilities are endless! I often adapt this recipe based on what’s on sale at the grocery store or what’s overflowing in my garden. One week it might be a hearty, chunky goulash, and the next it might be a lighter, brothier stew; it all depends on how much liquid I add. My kids love this recipe, and it's become our family go-to meal. Because of the simplicity and adaptability of the recipe, it makes it so much easier to make when time is limited and the kids are hungry.
What makes this stew truly special, though, is its ability to satisfy everyone's taste buds. The Tex-Mex flavors are vibrant and comforting, but not overpowering. My youngest, who is usually picky about anything remotely spicy, gobbles this up. I also love that this dish is easily customized to match our preferences. Sometimes I add a little extra heat with some chili powder or diced jalapeños for a more mature flavor profile, while other times I leave it mild, making it perfect for even the smallest eaters. Because of the versatility of the dish, I can add vegetables based on what my children like at the moment.
The best part? It's a one-pot wonder! Minimal cleanup is a huge win in my book. The entire process from browning the meat to serving takes less than an hour, and it leaves plenty of time for other important tasks or to relax and unwind. The recipe is incredibly simple and can be made even simpler by using pre-cut vegetables if you prefer to save time and have the ingredients ready to go. The recipe is such a lifesaver and I can quickly whip it up within 30 minutes. The only thing that takes time is waiting for the water to boil and the pasta to cook.
Beyond the ease and flexibility, this stew is also surprisingly nutritious. Packed with lean protein from the ground beef, fiber-rich vegetables, and complex carbohydrates from the pasta, it's a well-rounded meal that leaves everyone feeling satisfied and energized. And because it's so adaptable, it's easy to incorporate seasonal vegetables for a flavor boost and an extra dose of vitamins. The hearty stew makes for a great meal prep option as well, as it is easily stored in the refrigerator for a few days or frozen for longer storage. It tastes even better the next day!
So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner that the whole family will love, look no further than this Tex-Mex Beefy Noodle Stew. It's a recipe that has become a staple in my kitchen, and I hope it will become a staple in yours, too. Try it out, and let me know what variations you create! I'd love to hear about your own culinary adventures with this versatile dish.
