Ben’s Bean Sauce and Pasta

It is Friday and that means it is time for another Frugal Fridays, a weekly blog event dedicated to producing great food on a budget. The premise is to create a dinner for a family of four with 10 dollars or less. It is also time for another Presto Pasta Nights, a weekly roundup (this week hosted by Michelle at Greedy Gourmet) of delicious pasta recipes. So what did I make for this two events this week? This:

I know it doesn’t look special. What’s special about pasta hotdogs and broccoli? Not much, until you add a delicious bean and tomato sauce. This is how it looked after the makeover:

The secret, as always, is in the sauce. Here’s the recipe for it:

Ben’s bean sauce
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes

For this recipe you will need:

1 TBSP butter
1 cup pinto beans, cooked and drained
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup red wine
1 tsp Italian herbs
1 tsp brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Heat butter in a saucepan until it melts, reduce heat.
Blend together pinto beans, tomatoes, onion, garlic and chicken broth until smooth.
Pour on sauce pan. Keep hands and face away from the pan.
Add red wine, herbs and sugar and mix well. Season to taste.
Bring to a boil and let cook for 6-7 minutes.
Serve over pasta and enjoy.

This is an easy to make, frugal and very delicious sauce that goes perfectly with anything. Add some chipotles adobados to give it some heat and use it for enchiladas (that would technically be enfrijoladas, I’ll tell you about these later) or any other dish that calls for a sauce.

¡Buen provecho!

Tagged as: Beans, Food events, Frugal Fridays, Pasta, Presto Pasta Nights, Salsas and sauces

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About Author

Ben

grew up around food. His family owned a restaurant in Mexico City and he spent a big deal of his childhood helping and learning after school the art of creating delicious dishes from simple ingredients. He created this blog to share his kitchen adventures with the world.

(20) Readers Comments

Peter G
August 8, 2008 at 8:57 am

Yum!…another lovely creation Ben…and good for those on a budget too.

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kat
August 8, 2008 at 9:02 am

that certainly does look like a kid friendly meal

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[eatingclub] vancouver || js
August 8, 2008 at 10:59 am

Blending the beans into a sauce sounds like a great idea. I’ve been looking for ways to include beans into the diet, but since we’re not big bean eaters, if the beans are left whole, nobody will touch them. I can imagine the beans here giving the sauce a certain depth and richness, even meatiness. Thanks for sharing this. Great stuff!

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Jill@SimpleDailyRecipes.com
August 8, 2008 at 12:32 pm

If I’m out of red wine and used another 1/2 cup of broth, would the recipe come up short in flavor?

My kids would totally love this dish.

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Ivy
August 8, 2008 at 12:42 pm

Although my kids don’t like broccoli, they might even eat them in this recipe.

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Deborah
August 8, 2008 at 12:47 pm

I’ve been eating hot dogs like a crazy woman lately, so this looks sooo good! And a great way to switch it up and get some other nutrients!

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Christina
August 8, 2008 at 2:03 pm

The sauce would rival any tomato-based sauce! Really simple to put together, too.

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toontz
August 8, 2008 at 2:15 pm

Oh, yum! I can’t wait to try this, Ben!

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Michelle
August 8, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Butter, red wine, sugar. Hmmmm, this sauce definitely looks scrumptious!

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Pingback: Presto Pasta Nights #75 | Greedy Gourmet
Kate
August 9, 2008 at 6:08 am

Hey Ben , one thing i know for sure is that if i ever get invited to your place for a meal, i’ll surly be overeating. Your food always looks so good !

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Ruth
August 9, 2008 at 6:15 am

Ben, thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Night. Nothing says frugal like pasta. So many ways to cook up an inexpensive supper.

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Heather
August 10, 2008 at 1:04 am

I’m sorry, but I have to bust your stones on this. Hot dogs, egg noodles, broccoli and bean-tomato sauce? Am I the only one who sees what the Emperor is wearing? XD

I hope you know that I mean this affectionately, by the way.

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giz
August 10, 2008 at 1:57 pm

I could do this – I could also really enjoy this. I’m not usually a big pasta person but when you start mixing it with beans, you definitely get my attention.

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Hélène
August 10, 2008 at 8:55 pm

You surely use your imagination everytime you cook. This is an interesting pasta.

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Lore
August 12, 2008 at 5:59 am

Would you believe it if I told you I’m not big on sauce when it comes to a pasta dish? Well, at the sound of your tomato-bean sauce I’d definitely ask you to double the sauce for me

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JennDZ_The LeftoverQueen
August 12, 2008 at 12:57 pm

I have to admit that I love beans and hot dogs together – and over pasta really makes it great too! Way to get frugal, Ben!

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Donald
August 15, 2008 at 5:35 pm

Why wait for a budget night for that. I’ll take a plate right now!

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Ivy
August 18, 2008 at 11:29 am

Ben I have an award for you.

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Ben
August 18, 2008 at 11:59 am

I like this dish. This is how I cook at home. And yes, it is frugal. Trying to stay within a budget makes you become creative. Great dish Ben.

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