One Pot Pasta - Italian or Mexican

Perfect for those evenings that you're home, hungry, and in the mood to eat, but not cook. This is a great 'first meal' to teach your kids or spouse. Choose either Italian or Mexican.

• Ready In: 32 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef or 1  lb Italian sausage or 1  lb chorizo sausage
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 2  cloves garlic, minced
• 1  large sweet pepper, chopped
• 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans  chopped stewed tomatoes
• 1  cup tomato sauce
• 1  cup water
• 8  ounces  uncooked pasta (rigatoni, spirals or small shells)
• 1⁄2 lb fresh mushrooms (if making italian)
• 8  ounces  canned chilies or 8  ounces  frozen chilies (if making mexican)
• 1  cup water
• 1  cup  grated cheese (parmesan for italian, monterrey jack for mexican)
• 1⁄2 cup  sliced black olives (italian)
• 1  chopped  jalapeno (mexican)

Directions

1. Brown the meat, onion, garlic, and sweet pepper.
2. Add either the mushrooms or the jalepeno.
3. Saute until the onions are translucent.
4. Drain off fat.
5. Add all of the remaining ingredients except cheese.
6. Cover tightly.
7. Bring to a boil.
8. Stir.
9. Reduce heat to low and uncover.
10. Simmer, uncovered, 25-30 mintues or until the pasta is tender.
11. Stir occasionally, and add a little water if necessary.
12. Serve with the cheese on the side, let everyone sprinkle their own.
13. Yum.