One-Skillet Italian Meal

This healthy, fresh vegetables dish is so flexible. You can substitute any of the vegetable for ones your prefer and easily add more or less of the listed ingredients. After finding it in our local newspaper we tried it and thought it was just great!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb lean ground beef
• 1  onion, chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  cup  sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped green pepper
• 1  zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 4  ounces  dry  vermicelli, broken into 2inch pieces
• 3  teaspoons  dried Italian seasoning
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can no-salt-added whole tomatoes
• 2 1⁄2 cups reduced-sodium tomato juice
• 1  cup fresh spinach leaves, coarsely chopped (hey, it's back on the market!)
• 1⁄3 cup  grated fresh parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Spray a large (12 inch) skillet with nonstick spray coating.
2. Cook ground beef, onion and garlic in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until meat is browned and onion is tender. Drain and set aside.
3. Return skillet to heat and add olive oil. Add mushrooms, green pepper and zucchini; stir-fry 2-3 minutes.
4. Add dry vermicelli pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally and very gently, until pasta is golden-brown and vegetables are crips-tender.
5. Spoon cooked meat into skillet over pasta and vegetables.
6. Add seasonings, tomatoes and tomato juice. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes.
7. Stir in spinach, cover and continue to cook 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan just before serving.
8. Serve with your favorite red wine.