Some people camp just to creatively cook, others merely choose to survive on PB & Js for the weekend. I guess you can call me a middleman. I love the experience of cooking over the campfire (or camp stove), but as soon as the sun starts setting, I realize what a hassle the prep work, serving, and cleanup is probably going to be. I'm a big fan of foil packs... but pizza/beer at the local pub is great camp food too! I do get a laugh (maybe agitated) at many pictures on these so-called camping profiles/accounts on Instagram... not that there's anything wrong with a loving couple in designer clothes lounging comfortably on a colorful Navajo blanket...eating a 5-course meal by the light of a lantern's glow. I must argue that a real-world scenario is much different, especially for families.
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| What you’ll need! |
1. Make the whole meal at home and just reheat at camp. Dole out the bowls and spoons. Dig in!
2. Brown meats and chop/dice veggies at home then throw them in a gallon ziploc with the needed seasonings. Pack up the remaining ingredients (which doesn’t take up precious cooler space)- a pot, a large mixing/serving spoon and a can opener.
- I often precook my pasta separately in the broth and drain it right into the pot, and then set pasta aside to mix in later as needed. If you don’t eat the whole pot in one sitting, the pasta swells as it sits. Mushy pasta is so gross!
3. Break out that dutch oven and make it all at camp! This recipe is worth the hour wait! Ready, set…GO!
- First, drag in from the day's adventures, unload the car, organize campsite, sit for a minute or twenty to gain a second wind, attempt to get a fire going, corral the kids that took off on their bikes, get kids showered/cleaned/dressed in pajamas, attempt to keep kids out of fire, retrieve dog that kids let loose, run to camp store for more wood, make rude comment to significant other who's still relaxing, yell at kids to stick near campsite, start prep work for dinner, start cooking, yell at kids to get out of the marshmallows because they're starving, go to grab ice out of the cooler because you just burned yourself, go to camp store for more ice, set up picnic table while trying to cook, shut down generator because neighbor just yelled "quiet time" … is it 8:00 pm already? Time to finally eat, in the dark. Grab the lantern. Now force a smile, say "cheese" for that REAL camper photo and throw it up on Instagram and Facebook!
In a large pot, brown:
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1/2 lb. loose sausage (sweet or hot)
- Hot gives an extra burst of flavor!
Add and sauté over medium heat for 7-10 minutes:
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
Add and cook over med-high 20 minutes or until vegetables are near tender:
- 1 carton (32oz) chicken or beef broth
- 1 can (28oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (28oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp. heaping of sugar
- 1 heaping tablespoon Italian seasoning
Add and cook 11 minutes until al dente
- 1 1/2-2 cups dry ditalini or tubettini pasta
Add and cook over medium 5 minutes more:
- 1 can (15.5oz) white cannellini beans, NOT drained
- 1 can (15.5oz) red kidney beans, NOT drained
- salt and pepper to taste
Before serving (optional):
- grated fresh Parmesan cheese
- fresh chopped parsley
- Slice up a loaf of fresh Italian bread
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