Skillet Macaroni with Zesty Meat Sauce
By America's Test KitchenPublished on September 14, 2011
Time
30 minutes
Yield
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef Salt and pepper 4 garlic cloves, minced1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes 2 cups water 12 ounces elbow macaroni ½ cup drained jarred banana peppers (see note), chopped1 ½ cups shredded Italian cheese blend ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
Before You Begin
Banana peppers brighten this hearty meat sauce. Use mild or hot versions, whichever you prefer.
Instructions
- Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomatoes, water, macaroni, and banana peppers. Cover and cook, stirring often, until macaroni begins to soften, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until macaroni is al dente, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup cheese and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, cover, and cook until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Serve.
Time
30 minutesYield
Serves 4Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
12 ounces elbow macaroni
½ cup drained jarred banana peppers (see note), chopped
1 ½ cups shredded Italian cheese blend
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
12 ounces elbow macaroni
½ cup drained jarred banana peppers (see note), chopped
1 ½ cups shredded Italian cheese blend
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
12 ounces elbow macaroni
½ cup drained jarred banana peppers (see note), chopped
1 ½ cups shredded Italian cheese blend
⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
Why This Recipe Works
Our Skillet Macaroni with Zesty Meat Sauce pasta recipe utilized a single skillet, which cut down on the dishes and made it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner. We found that banana peppers added brightness and flavor to our meat sauce, and paired well with the mellow, sweet flavor of Italian basil in the dish. Canned tomatoes worked better than fresh in this recipe, and were conveniently available all year round.
Before You Begin
Banana peppers brighten this hearty meat sauce. Use mild or hot versions, whichever you prefer.
Instructions
- Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in tomatoes, water, macaroni, and banana peppers. Cover and cook, stirring often, until macaroni begins to soften, about 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until macaroni is al dente, about 7 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup cheese and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, cover, and cook until cheese is melted, about 1 minute. Serve.
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