Food Friday – Beef Skillet

Hamburger Helper is generally a big hit with families because kids often love it and it’s something fast and easy to make which means it’s perfect for busy week nights. As a bonus, it uses up only one pan so there’s fast clean-up at the end of supper time.

The unfortunate drawback is that since it’s pre-packaged, it’s full of stuff that you might not necessarily want to eat on a regular basis, especially when most of it is a list of ingredients that you can’t even pronounce.

This super easy beef skillet dinner is just as fast, easy, and tasty as the Hamburger Helper meals but it’s not all from a box.

Beef Skillet Dinner

- 1 lb. ground beef
- Seasonings your family enjoys
- 1 package dry onion soup mix
- 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups of small pasta (macaroni, spirals, penne, etc.)

In a large skillet, cook your beef until completely brown; season with whatever you like – we usually use garlic powder, an Italian seasoning blend, and a pinch of cayenne. Drain any fat and return to stove. Stir in package of dry onion soup mix and tomatoes with the juice. Add water and bring to a boil. Stir in pasta and lower to a simmer. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often.

Serve with a salad on the side.

There can still be quite a bit of sodium in the soup mix, but you can check your grocery store for lower sodium versions.

Bon appetit!

(image – mine)