One Pot Chili Mac

This super filling comfort food classic, One Pot Chili Mac, is like the hamburger helper of your childhood but all grown up and 100% from scratch!

The post One Pot Chili Mac appeared first on Budget Bytes.

So you grew up on Hamburger Helper, but now you’re an adult and have a more ✨refined✨ palate (read: sarcasm). Well, this One Pot Chili Mac recipe is your grown-up “I actually know how to cook now” substitute! And don’t worry, it’s almost just as easy as the boxed mix. Promise. It’s rich, hearty, cheesy, beefy comfort food pasta all cooked in one easy-to-clean pot. WIN!

Overhead view of a bowl full of chili mac, garnished with parsley.

What Is Chili Mac?

Chili Mac is simply macaroni noodles drenched in a rich tomato-based meat sauce, seasoned with chili spices, and with plenty of creamy cheddar cheese melted in. Some recipes also include beans, but I’m going for more of a Hamburger Helper dupe with mine, so I went sans beans. And you might be thinking, “I call that Goulash in my house.” While Chili Mac is similar to American Goulash in that they both contain macaroni noodles and a tomato-based meat sauce, they differ in their seasonings and flavor profiles.

Ingredients for Chili Mac

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade chili mac:

  • Onion and Garlic: The delicious meat sauce starts with onions and garlic sautéed in olive oil to give the beef plenty of flavor.
  • Ground Beef: Ground beef makes this dish super hearty and delicious, while still being quick and easy to make. Opt for 85 or 90% lean ground beef to avoid having to drain the fat from the pan.
  • Flour: A little flour cooked into the sauce helps thicken it up into a delicious gravy-like consistency.
  • Spices: A mix of spices are added to the sauce for maximum flavor, including chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano.
  • Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce gives the sauce a tangy tomato flavor and adds to the chili flavor profile.
  • Beef Broth: Beef broth adds tons of flavor to this dish and enough salt to keep everything properly seasoned. If using a low-sodium broth, you may need to add a little salt at the end to taste to really help the flavors pop. We used Better Than Bouillon to make our beef broth for maximum flavor.
  • Macaroni: Macaroni noodles are an inexpensive and filling ingredient that helps stretch the cost of the beef and keep the entire recipe budget-friendly.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese is stirred into the sauce and added on top of the noodles for extra cheesy flavor!

What Else Can I Add?

If you want to take your chili mac to the next level, try adding one or more of these ingredients:

  • Drained kidney or black beans
  • Frozen corn kernels
  • Sliced green onions
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Diced tomatoes (or tomatoes with green chiles)
  • Chipotle chile powder

What to Serve with Chili Mac

Chili mac is a true meal in a bowl, but if you want to serve something on the side I’d go for something fresh and light like Cowboy Caviar, Sweet Corn Salsa, or even Cumin Lime Coleslaw.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

As with any pasta dish, the macaroni will continue to get softer as it absorbs moisture from the sauce, so if softer pasta is not tolerable to you, you may not enjoy the leftovers. That being said, I will gobble up these leftovers without a second thought and love making this Chili Mac for meal prep and even to stock my freezer. I simply refrigerate single-serving portions for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. Let frozen portions thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat using the microwave.

Close up overhead view of chili mac in the pan.
Close up overhead view of a bowl of chili mac.
Print

One Pot Chili Mac

This super filling comfort food classic, One Pot Chili Mac, is like the hamburger helper of your childhood but all grown up and 100% from scratch!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.79 recipe / $1.63 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 (1 cup each)
Calories 471kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large deep skillet or Dutch oven with the olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet and continue to stir and cook until the beef is cooked through. If using a higher fat content ground beef, you may want to drain off the excess fat at this point.
  • Add the flour, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano to the skillet with the beef and onions. Continue to cook and stir for about two minutes, allowing the flour and spices to coat the bottom of the skillet, but not burn.
  • Add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the skillet and stir well to combine, making sure to scrape and dissolve any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add the uncooked macaroni and stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the broth to come up to a full boil. Once boiling, give the pasta a quick stir to loosen any that is stuck to the bottom, turn the heat down to medium-low, and place the lid back on top.
  • Allow the macaroni to simmer, stirring every few minutes and always replacing the lid, until the macaroni is tender and the broth has reduced to a rich red gravy (about 10 minuts).
  • Stir half of the shredded cheese into the sauce until melted, and sprinkle the remainder on top. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat off, and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese on top. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 25g | Sodium: 825mg | Fiber: 3g
Close up of chili mac on the fork held over a bowl.

How to Make Chili Mac – Step by Step Photos

Sautéed onion and garlic in a deep skillet.

Dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large deep skillet or Dutch oven with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

Flour and spices added to browned ground beef in the skillet.

Add one pound of ground beef to the skillet and continue to stir and cook until the beef is fully browned. If you’re using a higher fat content beef, drain the excess fat out of the pan. Next, add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of dried oregano.

Flour and spices cooked into ground beef.

Continue to stir and cook the flour and spices into the beef for about two minutes, allowing it to coat the bottom of the skillet, but not burn.

Tomato sauce added to the skillet and beef broth being poured into the side.

Add one 8oz. can of tomato sauce and three cups of beef broth to the skillet. Stir well until everything is evenly combined, making sure to scrape and dissolve all of the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.

Macaroni being poured into the skillet.

Add ½ pound (about 2 cups) of uncooked macaroni to the skillet and stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the broth to come up to a boil. Once boiling, give everything a quick stir to loosen any macaroni from the bottom of the skillet, turn the heat down to medium-low, and place the lid back on top.

Cooked macaroni in the skillet.

Let the macaroni simmer in the broth, stirring every few minutes or so and always placing the lid back on top, until the macaroni is tender and the broth has reduced to a saucy red gravy (about 10 minutes).

Cheddar cheese added to the skillet.

Add ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the chili mac and stir it into the sauce until melted.

Melted cheese on top of the chili mac, garnished with chopped parsley.

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese on top. Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat off. Let the residual heat melt the cheese, then serve. You can garnish with chopped cilantro or sliced green onions, if desired.

Side view of chili mac being scooped out of the skillet

So cheesy, beefy, and delicious!!

The post One Pot Chili Mac appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Goulash

When you are craving comfort food, what do you turn to? A few favorites at our house include chicken pot pie, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and baked ziti. This American Goulash is also a popular comfort food dish. It is made wit…

When you are craving comfort food, what do you turn to? A few favorites at our house include chicken pot pie, chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and baked ziti. This American Goulash is also a popular comfort food dish. It is made with ground beef, veggies, garlic, a rich tomato sauce, beef…

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Use your slow cooker to make this incredible Beef Stew full of aromatic rosemary and garlic, fork-tender beef, and colorful vegetables.

The post Slow Cooker Beef Stew appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Whoa. Just, WHOA. I’ve never smelled anything as lovely and drool-inducing as the scent in my house while I cooked this Slow Cooker Beef Stew. The aroma had me checking the clock every 15 minutes to see if it was done yet. I couldn’t wait to lift the lid and take a quick taste. And when I finally did? INCREDIBLE. This is definitely a recipe you want to make before winter is over!

Overhead view of a beef stew in the slow cooker.

Ingredients for Beef Stew

Beef stew, in its most basic form, is really simple. It’s just chunky pieces of beef, vegetables, broth, and some herbs and spices, all cooked down until it forms a delicious cozy gravy. But I took this beef stew up a few notches with some extra special ingredients that add more umami and flavor to the stew gravy. The ingredient list may look long, but I promise it’s worth it. Here’s what you’ll need for the most incredible beef stew ever:

  • Beef Stew Meat – Stew meat, which is usually cubed chuck steak, tends to be a tougher cut, but it softens to an extremely tender texture when cooked low and slow (like in a slow cooker).
  • All-Purpose Flour – Lightly coating the stew meat in flour and then searing it before it goes into the slow cooker increases the Maillard reaction and deepens the flavor. The flour also helps thicken the stew’s gravy.
  • Vegetables – We use a hearty and flavorful mix of carrots, onions, celery, and potatoes to create a naturally flavorful gravy. The vegetables also help thicken the gravy as they break down into the broth.
  • Beef Broth – Broth acts as the base for the gravy and provides a nice moist environment for the meat to cook to tender perfection. Make sure to use a broth with great flavor. We like to use Better Than Bouillon to make our broth.
  • Seasonings – This is where we really take the flavor to the next level. For this recipe, we combined garlic, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rosemary, and thyme to make an over-the-top good gravy that is full of layered flavor and umami goodness.

Tips for the Best Beef Stew

  • Sear the meat first. Browning the beef gives it an extra deep flavor that can’t be achieved in the moist environment of the slow cooker alone.
  • Add extra umami. Adding ingredients to the broth that contain a lot of umami, like Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, ramps up the flavor in the stew and makes the flavor extra “meaty”.
  • Don’t rush it. Stew meat needs to cook low and slow for a long time in order for the tough connective tissues to break down and become tender. If your stew meat is tough, reduce the heat and cook it a little longer.
  • Don’t skip the veggies. Including a variety of vegetables in your stew not only adds texture and color, but the vegetables add a ton of extra flavor to the gravy, so you’ll get a delicious, multi-dimensional flavor in the final stew.
Overhead view of a bowl of beef stew with a spoon.

How to Thicken Beef Stew

There are multiple ways to thicken a beef stew, but I prefer to allow the stew to thicken naturally as the vegetables cook and begin to break down into the broth. The stew may look a little watery when you first lift the lid, but once you begin to stir the vegetables (especially the potato) will begin to thicken the liquid in the slow cooker.

Alternately, if you prefer a firmer vegetable, you can add them in the last hour of cooking and then use a cornstarch slurry (3 Tbsp cornstarch + 3 Tbsp water) to thicken your stew. Once the cornstarch is mixed into the broth and brought to a boil, it will thicken into a gravy. This method will result in a less flavorful gravy and a glossy appearance.

What Else Can I add?

This slow cooker beef stew is pretty lush as is, but there are always options if you want to add more! Try adding 8 oz. mushrooms with the vegetables in the beginning (sliced in half) for more vegetable goodness. If you have some red wine on hand, deglaze the skillet used to brown the beef with the wine before proceeding with the gravy. Want it to look extra fancy? Sub 8 oz. pearl onions in place of the chopped onion in the recipe below.

What Do you Serve with Beef Stew?

Beef stew is a pretty well-rounded meal on its own, but you’ll want to sop up every drop of that deliciously thick brown gravy. I suggest serving your Slow Cooker Beef Stew with some bread on the side, like my Focaccia Rolls, or over a bowl warm rice or egg noodles.

Side view of beef stew in the slow cooker.
Close up overhead view of beef stew in a bowl.
Print

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Use your slow cooker to make this incredible Beef Stew full of aromatic rosemary and garlic, fork-tender beef, and colorful vegetables.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $16.20 recipe / $2.03 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8 1.25 cups each
Calories 269kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. red potatoes $2.40
  • 1 yellow onion $0.37
  • 3 carrots $0.44
  • 4 stalks celery $0.44
  • 4 cloves garlic $0.32
  • 1.5 lbs. beef stew meat $11.24
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.03
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08
  • 2 cups beef broth $0.27
  • 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard $0.13
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce $0.06
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.06
  • 1.5 tsp brown sugar $0.02
  • 1.5 tsp dried rosemary $0.15
  • 1.5 tsp dried thyme $0.15

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and red potatoes. Slice the carrots and celery. Mince the garlic. Place the prepared vegetables in a four or five quart slow cooker.
  • Place the stew meat in a bowl and sprinkle the flour, salt, and pepper over top. Toss the meat until it's evenly coated in flour.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Once very hot, add the cooking oil and swirl to coat the surface of the skillet. Add the stew meat and cook, without stirring, until browned on the bottom. Stir and then allow the beef to brown on a second side. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
  • Turn the heat under the skillet down to medium-low. Add the broth, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rosemary, and thyme to the skillet. Stir and cook over medium-low until all the browned bits have dissolved off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Pour the broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker and everything a good stir.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours.
  • After cooking the meat and vegetables should both be tender. Stir the stew well to allow the potatoes to slightly break down and thicken the gravy. Taste the stew and adjust the salt or other seasonings to your liking. Serve hot!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 591mg | Fiber: 3g

Love Beef Stew? You’ve got to try my Chicken Stew next! 

How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Stew – Step by Step Photos

Vegetables for beef stew on a cutting board.

Prepare the vegetables for the stew first. You’ll need to dice 2 lbs. red potatoes and one yellow onion, slice 4 stalks of celery and 3 carrots, and mince 4 cloves of garlic.

Vegetables in a slow cooker.

Place all of your chopped vegetables in a 4 or 5 quart slow cooker. 

Stew meat in a bowl coated with flour, salt, and pepper.

Place 1.5 lbs. stew meat (beef chuck) in a bowl. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper over the meat. Toss the beef until it’s evenly coated in flour, salt, and pepper.

Browned beef in a skillet.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high. When it’s very hot, add 2 Tbsp cooking oil and swirl to coat the surface of the skillet. Add the stew meat and let it cook until browned on the bottom, then stir and allow it to brown on the second side again. Do not stir often, or the beef will not have a chance to brown. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.

Ingredients for the gravy added to the skillet.

Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-low and add 2 cups beef broth, 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 tsp brown sugar, 1.5 tsp dried rosemary, and 1.5 tsp thyme. Heat and stir the ingredients until all of the browned bits are dissolved off the bottom of the skillet.

Broth being poured over the ingredients in the slow cooker.

Pour the broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker. It’s okay if the broth does not fully cover the ingredients in the slow cooker at this point.

Slow cooker being covered with a lid.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours.

Cooked beef stew in the slow cooker.

After four hours on high (or eight hours on low) the stew should look a little like this. The meat and vegetables should both be tender. The gravy may look a little thin at this point, but don’t worry…

Stirred beef stew in the slow cooker.

Give the stew a good stir and the potatoes will break down a bit and thicken the gravy into a nice rich consistency. Depending on the type of broth used, you may want to taste the stew and add salt to your liking (I did not add any).

Close up overhead view of beef stew in a bowl.

Serve the Slow Cooker Beef Stew as is or spooned over a bowl of hot rice or pasta. THIS will keep you warm and full on cold winter days!

The post Slow Cooker Beef Stew appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs are a delicious and cozy meal that is easy enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough for a special occasion.

The post Swedish Meatballs appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t go to Ikea without getting some of their iconic Swedish meatballs. But I can’t go to Ikea every time that craving hits, so we decided to make a budget-friendly homemade version that is easy enough for a cozy weeknight dinner, yet indulgent enough for an impressive, dinner-party main. Both hearty and comforting, these Swedish meatballs are like a hug in a dish!

Overhead view of a bowl of mashed potatoes topped with Swedish meatballs.

What are Swedish Meatballs?

Köttbullar, known in English as “Swedish meatballs” is a traditional Scandinavian dish of meatballs and gravy. Unlike Italian meatballs, the meat mixture for Swedish meatballs is flavored with allspice (and sometimes nutmeg), and after searing, they are nestled into a creamy gravy fortified with beef broth rather than a spicy, garlicky tomato sauce. 

What to serve with Swedish meatballs

Swedish meatballs are typically served with mashed potatoes. (We like ours with a little minced parsley and fresh cracked pepper on top, too!) But they’re also great served over egg noodles, or anything that will serve as a vehicle for that delicious gravy! 

Traditional interpretations of this dish frequently include a slightly-sweetened Lingonberry jam (a wild, lowbush berry native to Sweden), which has a similar flavor to cranberries or red currants. If you have leftover cranberry sauce from the holidays, that makes a great addition to this meal.

Can you Make Them Ahead?

Yes, you can make the meatballs a day ahead. If making a larger quantity, sear in batches, taking care that each meatball is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 145℉. Allow them to cool completely before refrigerating. To reheat, spread them out on a parchment-lined sheet pan at 375℉ while you make the gravy, and then continue with the recipe as written. Once they have simmered in the sauce, each meatball should reach an internal temperature of 165℉ before serving.

Close up side view of Swedish Meatballs in the skillet.
Overhead view of a bowl full of mashed potatoes and Swedish Meatballs.
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Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs are a delicious and cozy meal that is easy enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough for a special occasion.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Scandavian
Total Cost $5.83 recipe / $1.46 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 4 meatballs
Calories 545kcal

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs $0.20
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg $0.03
  • 1/4 tsp allspice $0.03
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/2 lb. ground pork $0.99
  • 1/2 lb. ground beef $2.65
  • 1 large egg, lightly whisked $0.32

Gravy

  • 4 Tbsp butter, divided $0.60
  • 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.03
  • 2 cups beef broth* $0.24
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce $0.02
  • 1/8 tsp nutmeg $0.01
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream $0.55
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper $0.02
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish) $0.10

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, nutmeg, allspice, garlic powder, and salt. (Note: Mixing the dry ingredients first will ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meatballs and prevent you from overworking the meat mixture.)
  • Meanwhile, add the pork and beef to a large bowl. Lightly whisk the egg, then add it to the bowl with the meat. Lastly, add the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Use your hands to mix the meat and seasonings together until evenly combined, but avoid overmixing.
  • Divide and shape the meat mixture into 16 meatballs, about 1.5 Tbsp each.
  • Add 1 Tbsp of the butter to a large skillet and heat over medium. When the butter is melted and foaming, add the meatballs. Cook for a minute or two on each side, or until well browned. The meatballs do not need to be cooked through at this point.
  • Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet. Add the remaining 3 Tbsp butter and the flour. Whisk the butter and flour together as the butter melts. Cook the butter and flour mixture for about two minutes.
  • Slowly whisk in the beef broth, making sure to release all of the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Allow the broth to come up to a simmer, at which point it will thicken.
  • Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, pepper, nutmeg, and heavy cream. Taste the gravy and adjust the salt or seasonings to your liking.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*We use Better Than Bouillon to make our broth. If using a low-sodium broth you may need to add more salt to the gravy for taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 44g | Sodium: 844mg | Fiber: 1g
Overhead view of Swedish Meatballs in the skillet.

How to Make Swedish Meatballs – Step by Step Photos

Breadcrumbs and spices in a bowl.

Add ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs to a bowl along with ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp allspice, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ tsp salt and stir until evenly combined.

Meatballs ingredients in a bowl.

Add ½ lb. ground pork, ½ lb. ground beef, the breadcrumb mixture, and one lightly whisked large egg to a bowl. Use your hands to mix the ingredients together until evenly combined. Avoid over-mixing because that will make the meatballs tough.

Shaped meatballs on a red cutting board.

Divide the mixture into 16 meatballs, about 1.5 Tbsp each, and shape them into balls.

Browned meatballs in the skillet.

Add 1 Tbsp butter to a large skillet and heat over medium. When the butter is melted and foaming, add the meatballs. Cook the meatballs, turning occasionally until they are well browned. The meatballs do not need to be cooked through at this point.

Butter and flour added to the skillet, meatballs removed.

Remove the browned meatballs from the skillet and add 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour and the remaining 3 Tbsp butter to the skillet.

Roux being whisked in the skillet.

Continue to cook the butter and flour over medium heat for about 2 minutes, whisking constantly.

Beef broth being poured into the skillet.

Slowly pour in 2 cups beef broth while whisking, making sure to dissolve any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. Cook and stir the mixture over medium heat until it comes up to a simmer, at which point it will thicken into a gravy.

Cream and spices added to the gravy in the skillet.

Add 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, ⅛ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp pepper, and ⅓ cup heavy cream to the gravy, and stir to combine. Taste the gravy and adjust the salt or other seasonings to your liking.

Meatballs being added back to the skillet.

Add the meatballs back to the skillet and stir to coat in the gravy.

Finished Swedish meatballs in the skillet with gravy.

Let the meatballs simmer in the sauce until cooked through (about 5 minutes).

Overhead view of a bowl full of mashed potatoes and Swedish Meatballs.

Serve the meatballs and gravy over a bed of mashed potatoes or egg noodles. Top with chopped parsley and more pepper if desired.

Super close up image of Swedish meatballs in gravy.

Ooooh, look at that gravy! So lush!

The post Swedish Meatballs appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Easy Vegetable Beef Soup

This super easy vegetable beef soup is a filling and flavorful option for lunch, dinner, or your weekly meal prep!

The post Easy Vegetable Beef Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

One of the first things I learned when I embarked on my budget-food journey is just how easy, filling, and inexpensive soup is. Homemade soups are a breeze to throw together and they’re always so much tastier than store-bought canned soup. This vegetable beef soup is a great example. It’s chock-full of colorful veggies, filling ground beef, and the most delicious broth ever. Serve it up with a nice crusty bread for dipping and lunch is served!

Overhead view of a bowl of vegetable beef soup.

What’s in Vegetable Beef Soup?

This classic soup combines ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, corn, carrots, and green beans in a flavorful broth. To make this soup a bit easier, I’ve used a frozen vegetable mix to cut down on the amount of peeling and chopping needed to prepare the soup. That makes this Vegetable Beef Soup extra fast and easy. :)

To give this vegetable beef soup more flavor, we’ve added a healthy dose of Italian seasoning and some Worcestershire sauce to the broth for extra depth. Make sure you’re using a full-flavored beef broth for maximum deliciousness. I like to use Better Than Bouillon to make flavorful broth for my soups.

Beef Options

I used ground beef in my vegetable beef soup because it was the least expensive and the easiest to use. If you use a higher fat ground beef, you have the option to drain the fat off after browning, or leave it in for extra flavor and richness.

If you have room in your budget and would rather have chunks of beef in your soup, choose a chuck roast or bottom round roast, cut into 1-inch pieces. Simply brown the beef in the pot before adding the rest of the ingredients. No need to cook through during the browning stage, as it will cook through while the soup is simmered.

What Else Can I Add?

This is my favorite part of any recipe. What else can you add to vegetable beef soup to make it your own? Try adding some of these ingredients:

  • Barley
  • Chopped cabbage
  • Celery
  • Cauliflower florets
  • Parsnips
  • Crushed red pepper
  • Finely chopped kale
Overhead view of the pot of vegetable beef soup.
Overhead view of a bowl of vegetable beef soup.

Vegetable Beef Soup

This super easy vegetable beef soup is a filling and flavorful option for lunch, dinner, or your weekly meal prep!
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American
Total Cost $10.63 recipe / $1.77 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 1.5 cups each
Calories 363kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion $0.32
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.32
  • 1 lb. ground beef $6.49
  • 1 russet potato (about ¾ lb.) $0.79
  • 1 28oz. can diced tomatoes $1.19
  • 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning $0.15
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 4 cups beef broth $0.52
  • 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce $0.12
  • 12 oz. frozen vegetables (corn, carrots, green beans) $1.00
  • salt to taste $0.05

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a soup pot along with the olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.
  • Add the ground beef to the pot and continue to sauté until the ground beef is cooked through. If using a higher fat content ground beef, you can drain the excess fat, if you prefer.
  • While the beef is cooking, peel and dice the russet potato into ½-inch cubes.
  • Add the cubed potatoes, diced tomatoes (with juices), Italian seasoning, pepper, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Stir to combine.
  • Turn the heat up to medium-high and allow the soup to come up to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
  • Add the frozen vegetables to the pot and allow the soup to come back up to a simmer. Simmer the vegetables in the soup for about five minutes.
  • Finally, taste the soup and add salt to help the flavors pop. Start with ½ tsp, if desired, and add more until it reaches your desired level.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 939mg | Fiber: 5g
Side view of a the pot of Vegetable Beef Soup with a spoon.

How to Make Vegetable Beef Soup – Step by Step Photos

Onion Garlic and olive oil in a soup pot.

Dice one yellow onion and mince 2 cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a soup pot along with 2 Tbsp olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.

Browned ground beef in the soup pot.

Add 1 lb. ground beef and continue to sauté until the beef is cooked through. If you’re using a higher fat content ground beef you can drain off the excess fat, if preferred.

Tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, and broth added to the pot.

While the beef is browning, peel and dice one russet potato (about ¾ lb.) into ½-inch pieces. Add the diced potatoes to the pot with one 28oz. can diced tomatoes (with juices), 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 4 cups beef broth, and 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.

Simmered soup without vegetables.

Turn the heat up to medium-high and allow the soup to come up to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and let it continue to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.

Frozen vegetables being poured into the pot of soup.

Add a 12oz. bag of frozen vegetables (corn, carrots, green beans), stir to combine and allow it to come back up to a simmer. Simmer the vegetables in the soup for about five more minutes.

Finished vegetable beef soup in the pot with a spoon.

Finally, taste the soup and add salt to your liking. The amount of salt needed will depend on the salt content of the broth you used, but you’ll likely need at least a little to help the flavors pop.

Side view of the pot of vegetable beef soup.

I garnished with a little chopped parsley for color, but it’s not needed for flavor. I do tend to put a little freshly cracked pepper or each bowl for a little extra pop, though!

Try These Other Easy Ground Beef Recipes:

The post Easy Vegetable Beef Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Guinness Beef Stew

This Guinness Beef Stew recipe is full of tender beef, hearty veggies, and a rich tomato stout broth. Stovetop, Instant Pot and Crock-Pot options included! Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ♡ If you’re looking for a cozy Irish-inspired stew to celebrate today, this Guinness Beef Stew is always a winner. The classic trio of beef, potatoes […]

This Guinness Beef Stew recipe is full of tender beef, hearty veggies, and a rich tomato stout broth. Stovetop, Instant Pot and Crock-Pot options included!

Guinness Beef Stew

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ♡

If you’re looking for a cozy Irish-inspired stew to celebrate today, this Guinness Beef Stew is always a winner. The classic trio of beef, potatoes and veggies is simmered low and slow with a richly-seasoned Guinness broth until every bite is melt-in-your-mouth tender (and your home smells amazing). And when served up with some good crusty bread or ladled over a bowl of noodles, this Guinness beef stew is the coziest comfort food through and through.

I thought I’d bump this recipe back to the top of the site today since I recently added in some updates (per your requests) with instructions for how to make this beef stew either on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot or Crock-Pot. And I’ve also added in a few fun new options for how to customize the stew to your liking.

So if you’re looking for a cozy beef stew recipe to make tonight — or any night of year year — grab a Guinness and let’s make some beef stew!

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Beef Taco Pasta

This Beef Taco Pasta is like a homemade version of hamburger helper with a southwest flavor spin. Hearty, delicious, and comforting!

The post Beef Taco Pasta appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Raise your hand if you grew up on Hamburger Helper. 🖐 Yeah, me too. :) This Beef Taco Pasta is like a homemade version of your favorite childhood dinner in a box with a southwest spin. It has ground beef, a cheesy tomato sauce, green chiles, pasta, a healthy dose of taco seasoning, and tons of delicious comfort all in one bowl. Plus, it all cooks in one pot, which makes dinner time so fast and easy. #WIN

Originally posted 8/25/2013, updated 2/19/2022.

beef taco pasta in a bowl from above

What Kind of Pasta to Use

I used small pasta shells this time around because that’s what I had on hand, but I originally made this recipe with egg noodles. You can use other short pasta shapes as well, keeping in mind that you may need to simmer slightly longer or for less time depending on the type of pasta used. Rotini and penne are also good options.

What Else Can I Add to Taco Pasta?

This is my favorite part of any recipe. I love rummaging through my fridge or pantry looking for leftovers that can be added to whatever I’m cooking to make sure nothing I buy goes to waste. Here are some other ingredients that you can add to your Beef Taco Pasta that would also taste great with this flavor profile:

  • Jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
  • Sour cream
  • Avocado
  • Black olives
  • Black beans
  • Pickled red onions

Swap Out the Meat

This recipe is super flexible, so if you want to use a different type of ground meat, like ground turkey or ground chicken, that would work just as well. Likewise, you could use a vegetarian ground beef alternative, or just skip the ground beef altogether and replace it with a can of black beans. So many options!

Close up of beef taco pasta in the skillet

Close up of beef taco pasta in the skillet

One Pot Beef Taco Pasta

This Beef Taco Pasta is like a homemade version of hamburger helper with a southwest flavor spin. Hearty, delicious, and comforting!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Southwest
Total Cost $7.88 recipe / $1.31 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 1.3 cups each
Calories 360kcal
Author Beth - Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.16
  • 1 yellow onion $0.32
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 1/2 lb. ground beef $3.00
  • 1 packet taco seasoning* $0.67
  • 1 15oz. can diced tomatoes $0.79
  • 1 4oz. can diced green chiles $0.67
  • 1/2 lb. small pasta shells $0.50
  • 2 cups beef broth $0.26
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese $1.15
  • 2 green onions, sliced $0.20

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a deep skillet or wide-bottomed pot. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft.
  • Add the ground beef and taco seasoning and continue to cook and stir until the ground beef is cooked through.
  • Add the diced tomatoes (with juices) and diced green chiles (with juices) to the beef and stir to combine.
  • Finally, add the pasta and beef broth and stir to combine once again. It's okay if the pasta is not fully submerged under the broth.
  • Place a lid on the pot and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the broth to come up to a full boil. Once boiling, give the pasta a stir, place the lid back on top, and turn the heat down to medium-low.
  • Let the pasta continue to simmer, stirring every few minutes and always replacing the lid, for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender. There should be some thick saucy liquid left in the pot once the pasta is cooked.
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until it has melted into the sauce. Top with sliced green onions and serve!

Notes

*You can use one store-bought taco seasoning packet (about 1 oz.) or use this homemade taco seasoning recipe

Nutrition

Serving: 1.3cups | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 17g | Sodium: 915mg | Fiber: 3g

beef taco pasta in the skillet with a spoon

How to Make Beef Taco Pasta – Step by Step Photos

Diced onion and minced garlic in a skillet

Dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Add them to a deep skillet or wide-bottomed pot with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft.

ground beef and taco seasoning added to the skillet

Next, add ½ lb. ground beef and one packet of taco seasoning (or homemade taco seasoning). Continue to cook over medium until the ground beef is cooked through.

Diced tomatoes and green chiles added to the skillet

Add one 15oz. can diced tomatoes (with juices) and one 4oz. can diced green chiles (with juices). 

pasta and beef broth being added to the skillet

Add ½ lb. pasta shells (uncooked) and 2 cups of beef broth. Stir everything to combine. It’s okay if the pasta is not fully submerged in the broth.

Lid being placed on the skillet in preparation for simmering

Place a lid on the skillet or pot, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the broth to come up to a boil. Once it reaches a full boil, give the pasta a stir (put the lid back in place), turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the pasta continue to simmer, stirring once every few minutes and always replacing the lid, for about 10 minutes or until the pasta is tender.

Cooked pasta in the skillet

Once the pasta is tender there should still be some thick saucy liquid left in the skillet. 

shredded cheddar added to the skillet

Add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the pasta and stir until it has melted into the thick tomato sauce.

taco pasta topped with green onion

Top the cheesy taco pasta with sliced green onions and serve!

Overhead view of a bowl of taco pasta

Try These Other Ground Beef Pasta Recipes:

The post Beef Taco Pasta appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Taco Soup

Tacos are always a hit at our dinner table. Steak, veggie, chicken, shrimp, the list goes on. But sometimes we like to mix taco night up by making Taco Soup. This easy one pot meal that is an all-time favorite, especially during the cold months. A bowl…

Tacos are always a hit at our dinner table. Steak, veggie, chicken, shrimp, the list goes on. But sometimes we like to mix taco night up by making Taco Soup. This easy one pot meal that is an all-time favorite, especially during the cold months. A bowl will warm you up and fill you up.…

Stuffed Pepper Soup

Soup season is my favorite season. You can’t be a one pot meal! Creamy chicken noodle, black bean, white bean, and potato leek are a few favorites. This Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe is also a winner! If you are a fan of the traditional stuffed bell…

Soup season is my favorite season. You can’t be a one pot meal! Creamy chicken noodle, black bean, white bean, and potato leek are a few favorites. This Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe is also a winner! If you are a fan of the traditional stuffed bell peppers, you are going to LOVE this soup. It…

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

Slow cooker recipes are always nice to have in your back pocket. I love a good set it and forget it recipe. Josh and the boys absolutely love these Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches. They request them often and I don’t mind because they are eas…

Slow cooker recipes are always nice to have in your back pocket. I love a good set it and forget it recipe. Josh and the boys absolutely love these Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches. They request them often and I don’t mind because they are easy to make. There is only a little prep involved…

The post Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.