Inexpensive Meal Idea: Stir Fried Chicken and Italian Pasta E Fagioli

Many inexpensive meal ideas start with chicken. Chicken is a mainstay in most homes because it can be purchased in large quantities and used in a variety of main dishes.

Chicken is so versatile that one chicken can be used to create Mexican dishes, Italian meals, as well as American classics. Stir frying chicken with vegetables is one way to use a small amount of chicken to get big flavors.

Stir Fried Chicken with Vegetables

Ingredients:

*1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
*1 onion
*4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (diced)
*Your choice of chopped vegetables
*2 tablespoons soy sauce
*1 Vegetable stock cube
*1 Packet of bean sprouts
*Rice

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice according to the package directions
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan or wok
3. Add onions and diced chicken
4. Cook for 5 minutes
5. Add remaining vegetables to heat and stir
6. Add water and soy sauce or spices
7. Dissolve stock cube in a cup of boiling water
8. Add the liquid to the pan
9. Heat for 5 minutes
10. Drain rice
11. Serve chicken and vegetable stir fry atop rice

Yield: 4 servings

Italian Pasta E Fagioli (Macaroni & Beans) is a meatless meal fit for a king. This dish was considered a poor man’s supper in Italy but when paired with fresh hot buttered bread sticks and a simple green salad on the side, everyone will love this treasured dish. It is an original Italian recipe from Sicily.

Italian Pasta E Fagioli

Ingredients:

*1 medium onion, chopped
*1 tablespoon oil
*1 teaspoon olive oil
*3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
*5 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
*4 (15 ounce cans Great Northern beans, drained
*10 leaves fresh basil, chopped
*1 bay leaf
*2 teaspoons salt
*2 tablespoons oregano
*1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
*Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Fry onion in large pot with oils
2. Add garlic and fry 10 minutes
3. Add tomato sauce, drained beans and
4. 1-1/2 cans of water from beans to pot
5. Mix well
6. Add fresh basil
a. Bay leaf
b. Salt
c. Oregano
7. Let simmer for 1 1/2 hour
8. Stir often
9. During last 1/2 hour, crush beans to cook down to a paste or leave them whole
10. In a separate pot, boil macaroni until done
11. Drain
12. Combine with sauce
13. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve

Yield: 6 servings

Article by:

Angela Tyler is a mom who would rather play than cook. If that sounds like you, you won't want to miss www.FreeQuickRecipes.com. And, if frugal cooking is your thing, then check out the Frugal Cooking Recipes on this site.

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