Versatile Pasta and Beef Skillet

This picture is not what it really looks like but it did not come with one and I didn't remember to take a picture when I made it..so..it's the closest I could find.  We all really enjoyed this dish. I used shells instead of macaroni but I'm sure you could use whatever you wanted to. You could also change it up a bit and use a small can of tomatoes instead of a large one and add 1 cup of salsa. You could also use taco seasoning instead of the oregano and basil. Or omit the pasta and add a can of kidney beans, black beans or chili beans and serve over rice. So yummy! Recipe from cooks.com. Picture from realmomkitchen.com. 

Ingredients

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp butter

1 med-large onion, chopped

1 large green pepper, coarsely chopped

1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

4-5 cloves garlic, peeled

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

1/2 cup Marsala wine

1 large (28oz) can diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp oregano

1/4 cup ketchup

2-3 cups elbow macaroni

1 small can mushrooms

salt and pepper to taste

hot red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp or to taste

Directions

In a skillet, saute onion, pepper, celery and whole cloves of garlic in 1 Tbsp of olive oil and butter. Turn garlic cloves to brown on both sides, then mash into the oil using the tines of a fork (this gives a mellow, roasted garlic flavor) I just used minced garlic for this. Don't allow garlic to burn. When edges of onions have taken on colour, remove contents of pan to a bowl and set aside. 

In same skillet, brown ground beef in remaining olive oil over high heat, stirring often. Drain to keep hamburger dry halfway through the cooking so as not to steam the beef. As contents of skillet become dry, additional olive oil may be added. When beef has browned nicely, deglaze the pan by adding the Marsala wine and stirring up the brown bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to the lowest setting. Stir in the chopped tomatoes (juice and all). Add 1/2 tsp basil and 1/4 tsp oregano. (use fresh herbs when available, doubling quantities) Add ketchup. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 30 mins or until vegetables are tender but not mushy. Cover skillet half way (by tilting lid).

Meanwhile, boil macaroni according to package directions. Drain. 

After the 30 mins has elapsed, stir mushrooms and cooked pasta into the tomatoe and ground beef mixture in the skillet. Season to taste with seas salt, pepper and hot red pepper flakes. Cook another 2-3 mins until mushrooms have heated through before serving.