Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta- $0.54/serving!

This is another quick and easy recipe that comes in at only $0.54/serving! This is a regular in our house and easily customized! I would love to try mushrooms in it, but I'm the only one that likes mushrooms in our household. You could add green pepper, onion, or swap out the ground beef for Italian sausage.

 Here is the recipe and the cost breakdown. I did not include the cost of the pepperoni since you use only a few slices and if I don't have it, I just leave it off. I am also assuming you have the spices on hand already.

Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta

1/2 pound ground beef ($1.50)

2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce ($0.50)*

8 oz pasta ($0.50)

Water and salt to cook pasta

1 cup mozzarella cheese ($0.75)

Pepperoni Slices 

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp Basil

crushed red pepper flakes, optional, to taste

Cook pasta in water and salt according to package directions. 

In a skillet, brown ground beef until cooked through. Drain. Return to pan and add tomato sauce and all seasonings. Let simmer while the noodles are cooking.

Mix pasta and sauce together in 8" casserole dish or baking pan. Top with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices. 

Place in oven at 350 degrees F until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

*We don't like a super saucy pasta so we only do two cans. I like a little more sauce in your pasta, you could add one more 8 oz can of tomato sauce, and just up the seasonings just a little bit.

The cost for the ingredients was $3.25 and there is about 6 servings in this recipe which comes out to $0.54/serving! I served this with frozen corn  and garlic bread from Aldi.

Let me know if you try this recipe! It's so easy and quick that it may soon be in your regular rotation, too!