Dinner in a Bag Recipe

Dinner in a Bag Recipe Dinner in a Bag Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

When it comes to convenience, Darlene Markel has dinner in the bag. The Sublimity, Oregon cook measures dry noodles and a mixture of spices into separate plastic bags, then stores them in a paper bag with canned stewed tomatoes. This "pantry kit" gives her family a head start on a hearty meal. "Since I work late occasionally," she says, "they just have to brown ground beef, and soon dinner is simmering."

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Dinner in a Bag Recipe
  • Prep: 5 min. Cook: 25 min.
  • Yield: 4 Servings
5 25 30

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) stewed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

Directions

  • In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add tomatoes and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Stir in macaroni; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover; simmer until macaroni is tender and sauce is thickened. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 cup) equals 289 calories, 11 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 56 mg cholesterol, 858 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 24 g protein.

Originally published as Dinner in a Bag in Quick Cooking September/October 1998, p15

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Reviews for Dinner in a Bag

Dinner in a Bag Recipe

Dinner in a Bag

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(1-10) of 10 reviews

Reviewed on Mar. 16, 2013 by hs4hmom

A family favorite and so easy to make!

Reviewed on Aug. 26, 2012 by stacienbob

My kids didn't care for this.

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2012 by butterfly3gayle

We love this! Have made it now for years and think of it as my own hamburger helper mix. I only do half of the hamburger to stretch my dollar and my own canned tomatoes. I'm like most cooks here I only add part of the salt and add some garlic powder to it.

Reviewed on Apr. 29, 2012 by CDoehrmann

Wow this was AWESOME!! Will make this again for sure!! I used home canned tomatoes rather then store bought which cuts down on the sodium a lot! I also added a little oregano and garlic salt!! INCREDIBLE!! :)

Reviewed on Oct. 18, 2011 by missymagoo12

the dish was very good- i did have add 3 cups of liquid to bew able to cook the macaroni- my canned stew tomatoes may had not enough liquids to cook the macaroni- i did add alittle more dried onions and i added some oregano to it. it was a hearty meal- i am still eating it -lots of left overs. i truely like that you can put dry ingreadents a a bag to be readsy and throw it all together. sue

Reviewed on Sep. 06, 2011 by j_c_kranz

I've been making variations on this since it was originally published in the Quick Cooking '99 book. I love it and it's a hit in my house.

Reviewed on Dec. 10, 2010 by tamaralenae

This is great for a quick meal on a weeknight. Hearty and filling and doesn’t take too long to make.

Reviewed on Aug. 12, 2010 by Mo. cook

Made this recipe and will make it again. It was of quick and easy. I added a little garlic powder and less salt. Served with a salad it's a perfect meal.

Reviewed on May. 21, 2010 by Kathilee5

We loved it! But we cut the salt in half.

Reviewed on Apr. 01, 2010 by pohl1959

I have been making this dish (I just call it "Chili Mac") over probably 10 years. It's delicious, easy and fast. My only change is I don't add the extra 1 t. salt; I think the stewed tomatoes have enough salt in them anyway.

 
 

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