Freezermeal Friday! $5 Organic Red Beans and Broccoli

Good evening, all! This week's Freezermeal Friday is Red Beans with Broccoli. My mom would make this all the time for us when I was younger. It packs quite the nutritional punch, with high fiber beans, broccoli, and whole wheat pasta along with tonssss of anti-oxidants! Nice.

Red Beans with Broccoli

serves 6

5 c. organic red beans (I made mine from dried, if using cans you'd need about 3 - $2.79)
4 c. organic broccoli (on sale $1.99/lb at Whole Foods this week - $1.00 - about 4 c. of florets)
1/2 medium onion, chopped ($.04)
3 cloves chopped garlic ($.06)
2 T. olive oil ($.24)
2 t. dried basil ($.06)
1/2 t. black peper ($.03)
1 T. salt ($.01)
1/2 lb. organic whole wheat penne (Trader Joe's - $.65)

Total: $4.88 or $.81/serving. Not bad, people!

1. Saute garlic, onion, olive oil, basil, and pepper over low heat until onion is translucent.
2. Add beans and sauteed onions, garlic, etc. to a large saucepot and fill with about 10 c. of water (you need enough in there to cook the pasta). It should cover beans by about 3 inches, it depends on the pot you're using!
3. Add salt to the water with the beans, cover, and bring to a boil.
4. When boiling, add the pasta, and cook until just tender.
5. Add broccoli and cook for 5 more minutes.
6. Remove from heat, pour into freezer container, allow to cool to room temperature and freeze.
7. When you're ready to eat it, rinse it with hot water to free it from container, and defrost in a large saucepot over low heat.

scrimpyTips:

- This would be great with white beans, too.

- You could use frozen broccoli, easily, or replace the broccoli with spinach.

- This would be good with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

- You could replace the whole wheat penne with any macaroni you like.

- If yours turns out too watery due to too much water used to cook the pasta, you can take out a cup or two and puree it, then return it to the pot to thicken the dish.