One of my favorite dinners!

I never get tired of this dinner.  My Mom made it growing up and I make it for my family a couple times a month.  The combo of the noodles, the sauce, its amazing.  The best part is I vary it all the time.  I use mostly elbo macaroni, but I’ve used ziti, corkscrew pasta, penne, whatever you like.  I’ve also mixed up the meats.  I mostly use ground sirloin, but I’ve also used ground chicken, ground turkey instead and it turns out great.  I first posted this recipe almost a year ago, so I thought it was worth posting again.  Yesterday in Chicago it was 61 degrees, this morning…..17!!  So this is still a comforting, warm meal to make on cold nights.  Spring, where are you???

• 1 lb. ground sirloin
• 1 green pepper, chopped fine
• 1 small white onion, chopped fine
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped,
• 2 14.5 ounce cans of tomato sauce
• 1 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Dash of salt, pepper
• 3 cups uncooked whole wheat elbow macaroni.

First, I cook the pasta, drain and set aside. In a big pot, I saute the green pepper and onion and garlic in Pam cooking spray. Add the ground sirloin and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces. I drain most of the fat. Next, I add the 3 cans of tomatoes, the cooked macaroni, add the spices and cook for about 15 minutes on low heat stirring occasionally. It makes about 10 1 cup servings. Each 1 cup serving is approx. 191 calories, 6.9 fat and 2.8 fiber.

I usually serve this with crusty bread and a side salad.