Quick Pantry Goulash and Easy Chili-Mac Recipes

Quick Pantry Goulash in Frying Pan

There are certain foods members of my family love, which come in variations depending on the recipe you use.  Two of their favorites are Beef Goulash and Chili-Mac.  Some of those recipes require lots of preparation, if you build them from scratch.  However, most can be made much easier and quicker if you find substitutes for “fresh” options in your pantry.  For the quickie versions, you need to keep a well-stocked pantry of canned and packaged goods along with a few dried herbs for anytime you want to throw together a one-dish meal.  Below are my quick and easy versions of these two favorites. 

The Goulash recipe is an easy way to get your kids to eat their vegetables without realizing they are there.  If the mixed vegetables include green beans, I usually cut them in half so they are the size of the other veggies.  .  Leftovers may be refrigerated and reheated in microwave safe bowl.

Quick Pantry Goulash

Prep Time:  approximately 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 cup dry elbow macaroni or other pasta

1 lb. hamburger meat, browned and drained

14 oz. can diced tomatoes, do not drained

15 oz. can tomato sauce

15 oz. can mixed vegetables, drained

¼ cup dehydrated onions

1/8 cup dried parsley

Directions:

1. In a separate sauce pan, prepare pasta according to directions on package while browning the hamburger meat in a large skillet.
2. After draining the meat, add onions, parsley, and 3 cans of veggies to the pan
3. Mix well and let juices come to a boil for at least 5 minutes to rehydrate the dried
4. When the pasta is ready, add it to the pan and mix in, let it cook together for another 5 minutes.
5. Should be ready to serve hot!

Easy Chili-Mac

Prep Time:  approximately 20 minutes.

Ingredients:

7 oz. box. Mac n Cheese, prepare per package directions with milk, water, and possibly butter.

1 lb. hamburger meat, browned and drained

15 oz. can chili

14.5 oz. can stewed tomatoes, drained

15 oz. can chili beans, ranch-style beans, or kidney beans drained (whichever you family likes best)

Directions:

1. In a separate sauce pan, prepare Mac N Cheese according to directions on package while browning the hamburger meat in a large skillet.
2. After draining the meat, add 3 canned ingredients and let cook for about 10 minutes.
3. After the Mac N Cheese is ready, stir it into the chili mix and serve warm.  

Yes, this Chili-Mac recipe is carbohydrate heavy, but it is also contains lots of protein for a comfort food.  This recipe could be spicy depending on the beans and chili brand chosen.  So when I make this when a n elderly person or a small child will be eating it, I do not give it to them for dinnert. Instead I prepare it for a fast and hardy lunch.  Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in microwave safe bowl.