Friday Lunch Recipes
On the first Friday of every month, our very own Chandra T volunteers her time to prepare meals for the Freeport Community Services “First Friday Free Lunch Program.” Her meals are so delicious, that we often receive requests for her recipes. Please enjoy!
Beef & Vegetable Noodle Soup
This recipe is perfect for when you need to pull dinner together in a hurry, but you don’t want to go to the store for ingredients. Let your pantry staples do the heavy lifting! As with most of the recipes I share, this can be customized to you and your family’s preferences and dietary restrictions.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (or chicken, turkey, pork, or omit meat altogether)
- 1 can green beans, drained
- 1 can sliced carrots, drained
- 1 can whole kernel corn, drained (I wouldn’t recommend using creamed corn, that could be weird)
- 1 box elbow noodles (or whatever shape you have on hand, just be sure to follow the cooking instructions on the box)
- 1 32 fl oz box Beef stock (chicken or veggie are fine too)
Measure the following seasonings with your heart:
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Dried parsley
- Salt & Pepper
Method
In a large pan, brown your meat until cooked through, drain and transfer to a dish, set aside. While your meat is browning, drain your canned vegetables and start another pot of water boiling on the stove for your pasta. Once your pasta water has come to a boil, add a good amount of salt to the water to help season the pasta as it cooks. The water should be salty, like me. Just kidding, it should taste like the ocean. Add your pasta and cook until just under done, your test noodle should still have a little bite to it. We’re keeping the pasta a little underdone so it will absorb additional flavor from the stock and soup seasonings and not turn to mush as your soup heats through. Ok, it’s show time! Now that the pasta is drained, using the same pot add your beef, vegetables, noodles, seasonings, and stock. All your ingredients should be covered by liquid, so add a little water if needed. Return the pot to the stove and heat the soup through until hot. Adjust the seasoning if required. Serve with bread, salad, sandwiches, or all on its’ own!
Notes
- Don’t neglect salting your pasta water!
- Use fresh veggies if that’s your preference or what you have on hand, just be sure to sauté them. I guess you could chuck them in the pot raw, but I wouldn’t.
- You could easily make this a one pot meal by using the same pot to brown your meat, it’s up to you!
- Again, make the recipe your own! Use the ingredients you like best and have on hand.