Dad Cooks

My dear hubby has been trying very hard to lend a hand here and there lately. He is being really very sweet about it all. He can actually cook fairly well but doesn't always take the time to follow directions. So..... he asked me to come up with some quickie meals that he can fix without having to think too much so they can happen rather quickly, and rather painlessly for all involved. So.... Here is one of the meals I gave him to do and he loves it. It is fast, easy, and best of all tasty. It is as simple as hamburger helper but with ten times the flavor.

Dad's Quickie Pasta Dish
(sorry the about the pictures in advance, he wouldn't hold still and I was sick)

Ingredients:
Ground meat (optional)
Veggies (if you have them and what you like)
Pasta (about 1 pound of what ever noodle you have)
Pasta Sauce (what ever kind you like about 1 large can or jar)
Water
Cheese (also optional and what ever kind you like and have on hand)


1. Cook your meat (beef or pork) in a skillet with some oil, salt, pepper and what ever veggies you like to add. Cook until meat is browned and veggies are "done" to your liking.

Veggies we like to chop and add:
Onions
Peppers
Carrots
Celery
Mushrooms
Garlic

2. Add a large can of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Stir in. DH likes Hunts Original and so do we. It works. Sometimes we add 2 because we feel like it. It is that easy and that low tech.

3. Add a can (or jar) full of water and stir in well. Sometimes we add an extra half can of water if it looks a little dry.

4. Pour in your favorite noodles. We have tried several noodles in this and we like Radiatore and Rigatoni. They grab sauce and yummy bit and hold onto them.

5. Adjust your water and sauce levels to taste here. You want it to be pretty soupy but not as thin as soup.

6. Now put the lid on and cook till the noodles are done. That should take anywhere from 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching.

7. When the noodles are done, sprinkle the top with grated cheese (slices also work), put the lid back on, and take it to the table. While it sits, waiting for you to get everyone there and ready, it will melt the cheese.

And there you have it, an instant family favorite with salad and fruit. I also love it because it means I get a night off when I am running to community meetings, sewing my fingers together for a customer, or just plain sick in bed (do mom's really ever get sick days?)