Spicy Skillet Beef & Pasta

Ask Rich and the girls, and they will know exactly what I mean when they ask, “What’s for dinner?” and I say, “That Ground Beef Dish.”  It has been a staple on our weekly menu for at least 25 years.  I think everyone has a family recipe that has its own secret code name. Anyway, it’s an easy skillet dinner that evolved one day while I was searching through my cabinets for ingredients that would pair nicely with ground beef.  It has taken on slight changes over the years for one reason or another.  The big change thus far has been substituting ground turkey for ground beef.  I have also upped the spice factor!

Spicy Skillet Beef & Pasta

Makes 4 servings

1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
1  can (14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) corn
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup elbow pasta
– In large nonstick skillet, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno pepper and garlic.
– Stir in stewed tomatoes, corn with its liquid, barbecue sauce, water, salt, chili powder, red  and black peppers; heat to boiling.
–  Add pasta and reduce heat. Cover and simmer until pasta is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Tips
– As mentioned, you can substitute ground turkey for ground beef.  You may have to brown the ground turkey in a little vegetable oil.
– If you do not want the bold flavors, eliminate the chili powder and the crushed red pepper.  Sometimes I opt for the plain and simple.
– Try different pasta.  I’ve tried wheels, rotelle, fusilli, cavatappi (curly elbows).
– I love using Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce, but you can use your favorite.

Cathy