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Easy 20-Minute Poverty Meal Recipe

Easy 20-Minute Poverty Meal Recipe


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4.7 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty Potato and Egg Skillet delivers budget-friendly comfort straight from grandmother’s kitchen. Crispy potatoes nestled with perfectly fried eggs make this simple dish a delicious lifesaver when money runs low and hunger calls.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 1 pound (453 grams) lean ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Pantry Ingredients:

  • 2 (15 ounces / 425 grams) cans stewed tomatoes (with juice)
  • 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can water
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) elbow macaroni
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature and crumble ground beef into the pan, simultaneously sautéing chopped onions and garlic until meat browns and vegetables become translucent.
  2. Pour stewed tomatoes and water into the skillet, incorporating dried parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to create a robust, aromatic base for the dish.
  3. Introduce elbow macaroni directly into the seasoned liquid, stirring to distribute evenly and prevent clustering of pasta.
  4. Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and allow the mixture to gently simmer, occasionally stirring to ensure even cooking and prevent pasta from sticking to the pan’s bottom.
  5. Monitor the pasta’s texture, ensuring it reaches an al dente consistency and absorbs the rich, flavorful sauce without becoming mushy.
  6. Once pasta is tender and liquid has been mostly absorbed, remove skillet from heat and let the dish rest for a minute to allow flavors to meld completely.
  7. Plate the meal, generously garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and adjusting seasoning with additional salt or pepper according to personal preference.

Notes

  • Skip draining fat for extra flavor, letting it add richness to the dish.
  • Switch ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative.
  • Use fire-roasted tomatoes to enhance the depth and complexity of the sauce’s flavor profile.
  • Sprinkle some red pepper flakes directly on individual servings for customizable heat levels that suit different spice preferences.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 370
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg