*Friendly PSA, there will be no photos of any kind, featuring the actual recipe.
I am not that kind of cook, & this is not that kind of recipe*
**NOT suitable for brunches with prospective Mothers-in-law, or visiting dignitaries, try harder**
If, you are trying to get tasty food into hungry tummies, with minimal $, time & fuss, this is a winner, every time.
It's fairly safe to say that we have all been there, done that at one time or another.
Those times when the bank & the pantry have more cob-webs, than actual things you would like.
What I do like, is Pineapple, & that is always in stock!
Canned pineapple is an easy keeper & go to.
Quick, Cheap & Easy, just the way we like it around here.
I, seriously love the stuff, & am slightly obsessed with it......
When we go thrift-storing, the kids always know to look out for
Kitschy Pineapple Chachkies
 |
| They say it's a porcupine, but in this world, it's an armadillo |
But, enough about that-
The goal of this recipe, was to make wise use of the available resources,
this will not win any awards for nutrition, necessarily,
but you can tweak it, as needed.
Remember: CREATIVE COOKING
Recipe
8-12 oz pasta
1 1/2 c diced ham
1 T bacon bits, per person
2 T shredded cheese, per person
Crushed pineapple, drained (Save the juice for an after dinner cocktail!)
6 oz tomato paste
Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Onion & Garlic Powder, to taste
As available, add in diced onion, bell pepper, or real garden tomatoes
Let's chat before we get on with the how-to's
Notice, the ingredients are pretty vague, & are really just suggestions.
Pasta- use up the odds & ends from those summer BBQ pasta salads, find it on sale to stock up, buy it cheap, buy it whole grain, whatever floats your boat.
The Ham- there are all kinds of ham available, we use the turkey ham, & yes, I understand it is really just a big chunk of processed lunch meat. This most recent one I bought, was 2.25 LBS for $5.48, which for a single item is pretty expensive, but it is going to stretch for 4 meals ($1.37/meal avg).
So, yes we are going to be eating ham this week, plan ahead!
Bacon bits- if you have real bacon, fry it up (save the grease) & use it. Otherwise, these are a pantry staple. A little goes a long way, & can perk anything up.
Splurge on the good kind, it's worth it.
Shredded cheese- I know block cheese is a better buy, in the long run, but I cannot keep it in the house, which doesn't make it worth it to me. I buy a couple of packages of shredded cheese each pay day, & toss them in the freezer to use as needed.
Once again, a little goes a long, long way.
How To
cook your pasta in salted, please don't forget to salt, water, per package directions, drain
While that is going, dice your ham & any vegetables
open your cans, & drain the pineapple (save the juice!)
Toss your ham into a pan, with a smidgen of water (no oil needed), over medium-ish heat, til fragrant & maybe a little brown.
Add any veg, cooking until softer.
Pour in Tomato paste, & drained pineapple
Combine, & simmer until warmed through
Add sauce to drained pasta, & toss gently
Serve into bowls, top with a pinch of cheese, & a sprinkle of magical-happiness (bacon bits)
This ray-of-sunshine is totally doable under, or right at $5
for a family of 5
Really, 2 parents, + a seriously growing boy+ a smaller boy + a girl, who picked out the pineapple
This will feed the masses, for sure
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