BBQ Beef and Bowtie Dinner

Have you ever seen old western movies where people would cook in their chuck wagons using their cast iron pots? That's exactly what came to mind when I saw this recipe from the Aug/Sept issue of Betty Crocker magazine. I don't know, it sounded rugged and rustic to me - like something a person from the old wild west would eat. 

Chuck wagon cooking. Source

The little "cowgirl" in me kicked in so I decided to whip up this dish. It is hearty, rich, and delicious. Easy to make, too. The only thing that's missing is a lasso. ;-)


What you need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked farfalle pasta
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

What to do:

In a skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked. Drain the fat and return the meat to the skillet.

Add bell pepper, cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in pasta, broth, barbecue sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.

Stir in corn and 1 cup of the cheese. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Cover and cook for about 4 more minutes, until the corn is hot and cheese is melted.


Tips, Tricks and Tweaks:

1. Use your favorite barbecue sauce for this recipe.
2. It is better to buy a block of Cheddar cheese when it is on sale, then store it tightly sealed in the freezer. It will be handy whenever you need it for a recipe.
3. You can also use microwaved corn for this dish.
4. Farfalle (bow-tie) can be substituted with any kind of pasta you prefer.