With grocery prices on the rise, it seems everyone these days is trying to cut back on food bills so they can stay within their budgets. So, it’s helpful to find recipes that make it possible to stretch the meat used in meals and still serve up filling, tasty dishes.
This recipe for Italian Beef and Pasta is one such dish. It calls for a round steak or chuck steak and makes enough for four generous servings. When served with a side salad and toasted garlic bread, you can have a complete, delicious, filling meal in no time, all without breaking the budget.
ITALIAN BEEF AND PASTA
1 1/4 pounds boneless beef round steak or boneless beef chuck steak, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained and chopped
1 (13 3/4-ounce) can beef broth
1/4 cup red wine
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 cups (4 ounces) uncooked mostaccioli
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (more if you wish to garnish individual servings)
Cut steak into 1/2-slices, then cut each strip in half. Heat oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until hot. Add steak and cook and stir until browned.
Stir in onion, garlic and Italian seasoning; cook 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth and wine. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover tightly and cook on top of range or in 300-degree oven for 1 hour or until meat is tender.
Add mushrooms and mostaccioli, stirring to separate pasta. Cook, covered for 20 minutes. Remove cover; continue cooking 10 minutes or until mostaccioli is tender.
Transfer to deep serving dish; stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese over top of dish.
If desired, add additional shredded Parmesan cheese to individual servings. Makes 4 servings.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
