Favorite No-Buy Pantry Meal

Real Frugalist American Chop Suey

This is one of those meals that happens when the pantry is doing its job.
A little pasta, a jar or can of tomatoes, maybe some ground meat from the freezer — and suddenly dinner appears.

Ingredients

(Use what you have — this recipe is flexible.)

• 1 lb elbow macaroni or any small pasta
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey, venison, or leftover meat)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1–2 cloves garlic (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
• 1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
• 1 small can tomato sauce (optional but nice)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano & basil)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1–2 cups water or broth

Optional add-ins if you have them:

• chopped bell pepper
• leftover vegetables
• shredded cheese for topping

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Instructions

1. Cook the pasta
   Boil macaroni in salted water until just tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Brown the meat
   In a large pot or skillet, cook the ground meat with the onion until browned.
3. Add the flavor
   Stir in garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer
   Add water or broth and let the sauce simmer about 10–15 minutes.
5. Combine
   Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce and cook another 5 minutes so everything comes together.
6. Serve
   Top with cheese if you have it.

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Real Frugalist Notes

• No ground meat? Skip it and add beans.
• No crushed tomatoes? Use tomato sauce and a little water.
• No macaroni? Any pasta works.
• Leftovers freeze beautifully.