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1
Fill a pot with some water for the pasta; cover, and set over high heat.
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2
Start heating 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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3
When the oil is hot, add the onion and saute for 2 minutes.
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4
Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute longer.
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5
Add the ground beef, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; cook until fully browned.
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6
Drain.
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7
While still over medium heat, add the bell pepper, chili powder, paprika, and tomato paste to the ground beef and cook for a couple of minutes.
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8
Add the diced tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, then stir to combine.
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9
Cover and bring to a gentle simmer.
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10
When the meat mixture has come to a full simmer, add a good amount of salt to the boiling water.
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11
Add the pasta, then stir to combine.
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12
Cook the pasta for two minutes less than the shortest cooking time listed on the box.
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13
You want it undercooked.
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14
While the pasta is cooking, stir the meat mixture periodically.
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15
Drain the pasta and immediately add it to the meat mixture, then stir to combine.
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16
Allow the pasta and meat mixture to simmer together for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the pasta is as done as you like it.
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17
Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
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18
Add the parsley and stir to combine.
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19
If desired, serve with some cheddar cheese or parmesan cheese.
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20
Note:
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21
I bought the ground beef, bell pepper, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes on sale.
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22
I used some farfalle that I had in my pantry, but you can use whatever pasta you like.
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23
I had some parsley left over from another dish so I threw it in to freshen the flavors.
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24
This entire dish cost less than US$6 to make, and it feeds a lot of people.
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25
If money is really tight, use less ground beef (or none at all) and throw in some drained black beans or some undrained chili beans.
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26
Dont buy parsley just for this dish.
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27
The tomato paste adds great depth so buy it if you can afford it.
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28
Otherwise, you can leave it out.
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29
For an accompanying story, check out http://cookingventures.blogspot.com
