Description
Savory Beef and Pasta Jar Stew is a comforting, hearty meal packed into convenient jars, making it ideal for meal prep, picnics, or easy dinners. Featuring tender beef, pasta, and a rich tomato-based sauce with herbs, this stew is both practical and satisfying.
Ingredients
- beef stew meat or ground beef
- pasta (small shapes like ditalini or elbow)
- onion, diced
- garlic, minced
- tomato paste
- tomato sauce
- beef broth
- olive oil
- thyme
- oregano
- bay leaf
- salt
- black pepper
- Parmesan cheese (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pot. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add beef; cook until browned.
- Stir in tomato paste; cook for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, beef broth, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes until beef is tender.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta; drain.
- Remove bay leaf. Stir pasta into the stew.
- Spoon stew into jars. Let cool slightly. Top with Parmesan if using.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken.
- Add diced vegetables like carrots or zucchini for extra nutrients.
- For a spicy kick, add chili flakes or hot sauce.
- Store jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave (remove the lid) or transfer to a pot.
- This stew can be frozen in freezer-safe jars or transferred to containers.
- Small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow work best for this dish.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- To make it vegetarian, omit beef and use beans or lentils.
- This stew keeps for up to 3 days when refrigerated.
- Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
- If using a slow cooker, cook beef and sauce on low for 6-8 hours, then stir in pasta at the end.
- To prevent the pasta from becoming mushy, cook it al dente and stir in just before serving.
- Jarred pasta sauce can be used for convenience.
- Crusty bread or a simple green salad make great side dishes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg