Beef and Caramelized Onion Pasta

When I first moved out on my own and had to cook for myself, well let's just say I wasn't making haute cuisine.  I was so proud that I could make boxed macaroni & cheese and Hamburger Helper.  Oh how times have changed. Those mixes (not that there's anything wrong with using them) have a lot of sodium!  If you read the nutritional labels you'll be shocked at just how much.  But I do like the convenience of a quick beef pasta dish that everyone likes.  So, I made my own.  It may take a little more time than the box mix (not much more), but is just as easy and tastes way better!  Plus, you control the quality of the ingredients and the amount of salt.

BEEF AND CARAMELIZED ONION PASTA


1 lb ground beef
1 onion, sliced
Salt and pepper
8 oz egg noodles, cooked
1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup water
8 oz sour cream

Brown ground beef in a large skillet.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Remove the browned beef and drain all but about a teaspoon of the fat.  Add sliced onion and cook on medium-low heat until caramelized, stirring often.  It will take about 20 minutes or so but it's so worth it!  The onions become golden and sweet and delicious!

After the onions are caramelized, add 1/2 cup beef broth and scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.  Add water and return beef to the pan.  Season again to taste.  Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes.  Meanwhile, cook egg noodles.

After the beef has simmered, remove from heat then stir in the sour cream.  It's important to do this off the heat so the sour cream doesn't curdle.

When the noodles are done, drain them and add them to the beef mixture.  You can garnish with chopped fresh parsley if you like.

This dish is just as easy as any boxed mix, but tastes so much better.  Give it a try and see for yourself.