BARILLA® AMERICAN CHOP SUEY

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb Barilla® Macaroni
• 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 12 oz yellow onion, small diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 oz green bell pepper, small diced
• 8 oz red bell pepper, small diced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 16 oz canned San Marzano tomatoes, crushed
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

PREPARATION

1. 1.In a sauce pan over medium heat, warm extra virgin olive oil, then add onions, sweating until translucent, then add garlic and sweat for 2 minutes. Add bell peppers, sautéing until tender and lightly caramelized.
2. 2.Season with salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Add tomato paste and caramelize for 2 minutes, then add tomatoes, allowing to simmer for 10 minutes.
3. 3.In a sauté pan over medium heat, warm extra virgin olive oil, add ground beef. While the ground beef cooks, use a potato masher to crumble the beef finely. Once cooked through, season with salt and pepper.
4. 4.Add the ground beef (do not drain fat) to the tomato sauce, simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. 5.Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and add to the meat sauce, tossing until evenly coated, then serve in a warm pasta bowl, about 3 cups per portion.
6. 6.Garnish with fresh basil, freshly grated Parmigiano reggiano and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil.
7. 7.Optional: serve with bread and butter on the side.