Easy Cheap Dinner Recipes For Family
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian (optional variation)
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 box (16 oz) elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 cup water or beef broth
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparation
Start by gathering all your ingredients on the counter. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves. If your cream cheese is cold, cut it into small cubes so it melts faster later. Set a large deep skillet or a Dutch oven on the stove over medium-high heat. While the pan heats up, fill a separate pot with salted water and bring it to a boil for the pasta. - Step 2: Cooking
Add the ground beef and diced onion to the hot skillet. Cook until the beef is browned and the onions are translucent, breaking the meat into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease from the pan. Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant. Add the marinara sauce, water (or broth), and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Meanwhile, cook your pasta in the boiling water until just al dente, then drain. Stir the cooked pasta into the meat sauce, then add the cream cheese cubes. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce. If using cheddar cheese, sprinkle it on top and cover the pan for two minutes to let it melt. - Step 3: Plating
Scoop generous portions of the creamy pasta into shallow bowls. The sauce should be thick and coat every piece of pasta perfectly. If you have fresh parsley or extra black pepper, sprinkle a little on top for a professional look. Serve this dish immediately while it is hot and steaming. It pairs perfectly with a simple side salad or some buttered toast made from leftover bread ends.
Find it online: https://cooktastydaily.com/easy-cheap-dinner-recipes-for-family/