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Spicy Beef and Zucchini Pasta

October 3, 2011 ·

When I was flipping through a recent magazine for the second time, I was a little surprised to see that I flagged something called ‘Stovetop Chili Mac.’  It’s not something that I would typically make, based on title alone.  After a quick glance, I could definitely see the potential in this dish – increase the veggies, give it some kick,…and we find ourselves with the delicious Spicy Beef and Zucchini Pasta.

The beef and zucchini sauce was a spicy and flavorful topping on top of pasta, which is a nice change from your every day bolognese.  The preparation of this sauce reminds me of my go-to taco recipe though.  This recipe makes plenty, so enjoy pasta for dinner and then tacos for lunch the next day.  That’s what we did!

Spicy Beef and Zucchini Pasta
Yields 4 servings

3/4 pound (12 oz) short pasta, such as rotini or rigatoni
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves, minced or grated
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 green and/or red bell peppers, chopped
1 pound extra lean ground beef
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 medium zucchini, diced
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes with chiles, including juices
2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, for topping

  1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions.  Drain and return to pot.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium.  Add onion, peppers and garlic and cook until onion is translucent and peppers are soft (about 5 minutes).
  3. Increase heat to medium high, add beef and break it up with a wooden spoon.  Cook until no longer pink.  Add chili powder and cumin, and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Add zucchini and cook until tender.  Add tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook until mixture is thickened and heated through. 
  5. Divide pasta among 4 bowls, top with meat sauce, and sprinkle with cheese.

Adapted from Everyday Food

Filed Under: healthy, main dishes, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Magic Burgers

August 19, 2011 ·

We don’t eat a lot of meat in this house, but it’s been a while so why not, right?   Mike is a huge burger fan and often gets a stuffed burger of the day from a local restaurant.  Even though he loves to get those burgers out, he has been requesting I make Magic Burgers for some time now. I’m not sure where the term Magic Burgers came from…actually I remember years ago I made these and after one bite somebody said they’re like magic. 🙂  So anyway…

I like my burgers plain or with cheese,  maybe even potato chips.  But absolutely no ketchup, no bacon, no pickles, you get the idea.  Since I don’t like relying on toppings to flavor my burgers, I add flavor to the patties.

  
This is a basic recipe and very easy to put together.  I usually just eyeball the ingredients, but have listed below the approximate amounts for what I use.  Sometimes I sub green onions for the red onions, which is really good too.   Quick and easy to make, these burgers are a perfect last minute dinner just in time for the weekend.

Magic Burgers
Yields 4 burgers

1 pound extra lean ground beef
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
Freshly ground pepper
Salt
Onion buns
Toppings (as desired) 

  1. In a large bowl, mix beef, onion, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper until blended (do not over mix).
  2. Divide mixture into 4 patties (a little larger than the size of your buns) and shape them thinner in the center so they don’t puff up.  
  3. Put patties onto grill heated to medium high heat.  Cook until juices appear on the top of the patties (approximately 4-5 minutes).  Flip and cook on other side until done (about 4-5 minutes). 
  4. Place on top of bun and serve with desired topping.
Filed Under: main dishes, Recipes Tagged With: , , , ,

Garlic Beef Enchiladas

July 8, 2011 ·

My husband has been wondering ‘where’s the beef?’  Well here you go, Mike! 

This week I am participating in an online recipe swap hosted by Sarah of A Taste of Home Cooking, and the theme is Mexican.  I received Garlic Beef Enchiladas courtesy of Heather Lynne of Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks.  This is not necessarily a recipe I would have selected on my own, simply because I do not eat a lot of meat.  But that’s the whole point of the recipe swap – try something different.  I was looking forward to making these enchiladas! (and Mike was very excited about meat!) 

In order to give the enchiladas a bit more veggie-flair, I used the entire onion and entire bell pepper.  I also used vegetable broth, simply because that was what I had on hand, corn tortillas instead of flour, and made a few adjustments to the garlic and spices.  In lieu of stewed tomatoes, I used diced tomatoes with chiles to give it an extra kick, and they worked great.  This recipe ended up a combination of Heather Lynne’s adaptation, the original recipe and some of my own recipes.    

These enchiladas were a bit more labor intensive than most weeknight meals, but in end it was worth it.  They were phenomenal!  I savored every last bite – meat ‘n all.  I will definitely be making this recipe again, though next time I plan to try substituting black beans for the beef.

Be sure to check out the round up of the recipe exchange at A Taste of Home Cooking.  A big thank you to Sarah for hosting the recipe swap and a big thank you to Heather Lynne for the great recipe (and Mike thanks you for meat)!

Have a great weekend!

Garlic Beef Enchiladas
Yields 6 servings (2 enchiladas per serving)
FILLING:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 bell pepper (red or green), chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with chilis

SAUCE:
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 all purpose flour
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) vegetable or beef broth
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin

12 corn tortillas (6 inches) warmed
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheese (cheddar or colby jack)

  1. In a large skillet, heat beef, onion, pepper and garlic over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink.  Add seasonings and stir well.  Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring periodically.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan heat oil over medium heat.  Saute garlic 2-3 minutes or until fragrant.  Stir in flour until blended (making a roux).  Gradually stir in the broth and bring to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until thickened.  Stir in the tomato sauce and seasonings.  Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray.  Pour 1 1/2 cups of the sauce into the bottom of pan. 
  4. Stack tortillas and wrap in damp paper towel and microwave for 45-60 seconds.  Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup filling, top with 1 tablespoon cheese and roll up tightly  Place in baking dish seam-side down.  Continue with remaining tortillas. 
  5. Top the enchiladas with the remaining sauce.  Cover with non-stick foil (or spray regular foil with cooking spray) and cook for 30 minutes.  Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Adapted from Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks and from Taste of Home

Filed Under: main dishes, Recipes Tagged With: , ,