Taco Pasta

 Because of budget cuts, the after school program had to be canceled for 2 whole weeks.  I worried about what the kids were eating that whole time.  I wanted to give them something filling that they would love and could eat lots of on their first day back so I made this taco pasta.  I browned 4 pounds of ground beef along with diced onions, celery and corn.  I added black beans and pinto beans too.

 I made 18 quarts of this so you would add enough for a regular serving which would be 1 pound of meat, 1 can of each of the beans and tomatoes, Rotel etc..  Add canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, oregano, garlic powder and salt and pepper.

 Then boil some pasta( 1 pound for you) to al dente, sprinkle in some cheese, I used Mexican cotija but you can sub Parmesan.  Stir in the taco mix thoroughly.

I missed a pic again, surprise surprise, but I topped it with a shredded Mexican cheese.  You can use Monterey Jack.  Sprinkle chopped black olives over the cheese and cover it and let it melt before serving.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Comments

Anonymous said…
they will be happy kids today!!
Anonymous said…
I read this at work and decided it was something I'll make this weekend! I'll skip the olives though :-)

Have a great day!

Christer.
Susan said…
What a shame that the kids had to miss two weeks! I'm sure this program means a lot to them - especially having such a good meal under their belts.
Mary said…
Wouldn't it be better to cut a couple days each week instead of 14 days straight and no food! Like after school programs could be offered Monday through Wednesday....
That'll stick to their ribs!
Tikkun said…
Oh, poor kids :(. At least you welcomed them back with a delicious hearty meal ❤️.
Anonymous said…
How sad that there had to be a pause in such an outstanding program. Hope it's got the funding the last through the rest of the year.
Hi Joyce..I thought for a minute I could smell this!!! You are such a sweetheart to do that for the children. Looks just delicious!!
Jeannine520 said…
If the people who run this program know these children to be disadvantaged where having enough food might be an issue, how in the world did they sleep at night after cutting two straight weeks?? That's 16 straight days of questionable nutrition. How about a program that meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday instead. They would start and end the weekend with good food and then once in the middle of the week, then at least they wouldn't be going for days without enough food. Sheesh!! If they knew they were running out of funds there are all sorts of things they could have done to raise some $$$. Maybe I'm tired and up too late but to me this really seems uncalled for.
Fiona said…
I bet salaries did not get cut or holiday pay or any of the supervisory and management perks! Okay I am gloomy but the good things we do for children are the first things to be cut.
Your generosity is so wonderful!
Guillaume said…
Yum! I read you and I always get hungry.
Jim said…
What a feast!