One of the great ideas posted in the Contest I ran last week was a request for stockpile recipes where you actually had the items in your stockpile.
And I know exactly what was meant by that. Ever read a stockpile recipe that has 12 ingredients, 3 of which are some exotic spice you got at a health food store? Hmmm yeah, that works for me! Not! Many years ago I was facing a dilemma… what the heck can I cook using just the items in my stockpile? Before the advent of the internet folks got recipes from cookbooks, “lady magazines” and the coupon inserts. So, when I saw a recipe in the inserts that intrigued me, I decided to make it. The items looked common, I was sure I had them in my pantry and freezer. Except I didn’t. I was missing four or five ingredients, was going to have to substitute a yet another and I did not have the “proper” pan.
I improvised, and “Stuff” was created.
This is a loosey-goosey recipe. You can tweak it to suit your needs. For instance I use more ground beef and corn and less noodles. But, I’ll write this up as I fixed it the first dozen times or so. Also if you like more of a kick, use the hot taco mixes and add an extra.
Bag noodles
1# ground beef
1 (16oz) can or 1 bag frozen corn
3 Ortega taco mix packets
1 c water
pepper to taste
In a large pot, cook one bag of noodles. Use whatever is in the stockpile; elbow, twists, egg noodles. Anything works.
Drain. Return to pot.
In a pan brown the ground beef. Drain fat.
Add the browned ground beef to the cooked noodles. Add corn and taco mixes. Add water. Stir. Cover and allow to come to a low boil. Stir occasionally. Reduce heat after boil and allow to heat thoroughly. Do stir as the bottom of the pot will burn. Pepper to taste.
That is it. My son christened this concoction “stuff” nearly 20 years ago. I still make it for him when he comes home on break. One nice thing about “stuff” is it tastes better reheated.
I hope this is what people had in mind. If so, I’ll be happy to continue simple stockpile recipes like this on a weekly basis. 
I think I know what you mean and it reminds me of something that happended shortly after I moved here to Texas.
Our local grocery store, Brookshires, posted a weekly sales circular w/ a recipe in it. (no news there…) but what made it exciting was that all of the major ingredients were ON SALE! (And including brand names that I had coupons for!)
Because it was a tasty recipe AND it was all on sale….I REALLY felt like I was getting something special. [SIGH... they have never done it again, maybe I should have a word w/ them.]
In my opinion, THAT is a marketing plan for thought. They could have specific holiday recipes/themes where appropriate ingredients and ‘accessories’ are grouped into a single location for easy party planning and access. Include it all! Napkins, plates, glasses, flowers, flags…all of it. Whether it be Christmas ornaments, Chocolate bunnies or BBQ charcoal briquettes….
“Party Lane”?…I would be a regular!
I love stockpile recipes. I am gearing up to move and have been cooking nothing but stockpile recipes for a while now. I have a really hefty pantry and don’t want to waste space in a truck with green beans!
My hubby will love this. It is similar to the Chili-mac that I make for him. Thanks for the “stuff” recipe and for linking up to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
your taco noodles sound really good (except i’d make it with turkey)… i just might HAVE to try this!!!
melissa
Sounds great – anything with noodles and taco flavoring has to be good!
It sounds really good and it uses ingredients we all have in the pantry and fridge, I like that
Thank heavens for the internet! I love to get recipe off of cooks.com. You can type in an ingredient (something that’s about to go bad or that you need to use up), and out comes hundreds of ingredients.
I’ll have to try your stockpile recipe but with ground turkey (it’s always cheaper at the store so I stopped buying ground beef). I’m sure it’s delicious
Oh one more thing. For years and years I bought those taco seasoning packets for fifty or so cents each until I saw that they sell it in a jar! It comes in a spice jar in the spice section, and is way cheaper to buy it this way if you buy alot of it!