PORTLAND, Maine — Bo Byrne is a chef and culinary instructor at Southern Maine Community College. He’s been in the 207 kitchen before, and this time we had a different idea: come up with some dishes that come together quickly after work but are also good meals for the whole family.
He did exactly that with his American chop suey goulash. It can all be made in one pot, making for less cleanup, and can be done in about 30 minutes.
American chop suey goulash
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 lb. ground beef - 80/20
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomato
- 1 can( 15 oz.) tomato sauce
- 1 ¾ cups beef stock
- 2 tsp. oregano
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1 ½ cups dried pasta, elbow
- ¾ cup mozzarella cheese, crumbled or shredded
- 4 tbsp. parsley, chopped
Directions:
- Begin with heating oil in large enough pot to cook this entire dish.
- Add onion and cook until soft, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for just 1 minute.
- Form the beef into smaller meatball shapes and place into the pan with the onions and garlic.
- Beef will brown nicely in roughly 5-6 minutes. Be sure to turn halfway. Break up as desired now.
- Drain away the fat if you like or leave to flavor sauce.
- Add the tomato paste, diced tomato, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
- Add the beef stock and seasoning. Salt and pepper can be adjusted later so go light for now.
- Bring to strong simmer and add pasta. Cook until desired tenderness, roughly 15 minutes.
- Stir in some cheese and add more to the top with parsley when plating. Taste for salt and pepper and add more if desired.
Garlic bread
Ingredients:
- 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
- ½ cup softened butter
- 3 tbsp. parsley, chopped
- ¾ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 loaf bread, Italian or French
- ½ cup parmesan, crumbled or grated
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Mix soft butter with chopped parsley, chopped garlic, and salt.
- Slice bread in half lengthwise and spread evenly with butter.
- Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown edges.
- Top with cheese and bake 1-2 more minutes.
- Serve hot!